z^ 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0     ^^  tii 

m  m 

1.1  ?.■«■" 


11.25 


1.4 


m 

■  1.6 


V 


FholDgFaphic 

^Sciaices 

Corporation 


M  WHT  MAIN  trniT 

WIUTIt.N.V.  MSM 

(7U)I71-4S03 


o 


/ 


At 


^ 


>. 


CIHM/ECMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHIVI/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Instituta  for  Historical  IMicroraproductiont  /  Inatitut  Canadian  da  microraproductiona  hiatoriquaa 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notea/Note*  tachniquas  at  bibliographiquas 


The  Inatituta  haa  attamptad  to  obtain  tha  baat 
original  copy  availabia  for  filming.  Faaturaa  of  thia 
copy  which  may  ba  bibliographically  uniqua, 
which  may  altar  any  of  tha  imagaa  in  tha 
raproduction.  or  which  may  aignificantly  changa 
tha  uaual  mathod  of  filming,  ara  chackad  balow. 


□    Colourad  covara/ 
Couvartura  da  coulaur 


I      I    Covars  damagad/ 


D 


n 


□ 


D 


Couvartura  andommagAa 


Covara  rastorad  and/or  laminatad/ 
Couvartura  raataur^a  at/ou  palliculAa 


I      I    Covar  titia  miasing/ 


La  titra  da  couvartura  manqua 


I      I   Colourad  mapa/ 


Cartaa  giographiquaa  •»  coulaur 

Colourad  ink  (i.a.  othar  than  blua  or  black)/ 
Encra  da  coulaur  (i.a.  autra  qua  blaua  ou  noira) 


I      I   Colourad  plataa  and/or  illuatrationa/ 


Planchaa  at/ou  illuatrationa  9n  coulaur 

Bound  with  othar  matarial/ 
RalM  avac  d'autraa  documanta 

Tight  binding  may  cauaa  ahadowa  or  diatortion 
along  intarior  margin/ 

La  tB  Hura  sarrie  paut  cauaar  da  I'ombra  ou  da  la 
diatortion  la  long  da  la  marga  intiriaura 

Blank  laavaa  addad  during  raatoration  may 
appa^r  within  tha  taxt.  Whanavar  poaaibia.  thaaa 
hava  baan  omittad  from  filming/ 
II  aa  paut  qua  cartainaa  pagaa  blanchaa  ajoutiaa 
lora  d'una  raatauration  apparaiaaant  dana  la  taxta. 
maia,  loraqua  cala  Atait  poaaibia.  caa  pagaa  n'ont 
paa  «t«  filmAaa. 


L'inatitut  a  microfilmi  la  mailiaur  anamplaira 
qu'il  lui  a  iti  poaaibia  da  aa  procurer.  Lea  details 
da  cat  axemplaira  qui  aont  paut-Atre  uniquaa  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
una  image  reproduite.  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dana  la  mAthode  normale  de  fiimage 
aont  indiquAa  ci-daasoua. 


I      I   Coloured  pagaa/ 


D 
D 

n 
0 
0 


D 
D 


Pagaa  da  coulaur 

Pagaa  damaged/ 
Pagaa  andommagiaa 

Pagaa  reatorad  and/or  laminated/ 
Pagaa  reataurAea  at/ou  palliculAea 

Pages  discoloured,  statnad  or  foxed/ 
Pages  dAcoloriea,  tachaties  ou  piquAes 

Pagaa  detached/ 
Pagaa  dAtachies 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 

Quality  of  print  variaa/ 
Qualit*  in^gala  de  I'impression 


pn    Includes  supplementary  material/ 


Comprend  du  material  suppKmentaire 


Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Mition  diaoonibia 


Pagaa  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmad  to 
ensure  the  best  posi^ible  image/ 
Lea  pagaa  totalement  ou  partielleirent 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  una  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  itt  filmies  A  nouveau  de  fapon  A 
obtanir  la  mailleure  image  possible. 


D 


Additional  comments:/ 
Commentairas  supplimantairaa: 


Thia  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  eat  fiimA  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqu4  ci-deaaous 

10X                            14X                            18X                            22X 

26X 

aox 

J 

12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


Th«  copy  film«d  h«r«  hn  b««n  raproducad  thanks 
to  th«  ganarosity  of: 

Naw  Brunswick  MuNum 
Saint  John 


L'axampiaira  filmi  fut  raproduit  grica  i  la 
ginAroait*  da: 

Naw  Brumwiek  IMuMum 
Saint  John 


Tha  imagaa  appaaring  hara  ara  tha  baat  quality 
poaaibia  eonaldaring  tha  condition  and  lagibility 
of  tha  original  copy  and  in  kaaping  with  tha 
filming  contract  spaeif leatlona. 


Las  imagaa  suivantas  ont  Ata  raproduitaa  avac  la 
plus  grand  soin.  compta  tanu  da  la  condition  at 
da  la  nattat*  da  l'axampiaira  film*,  at  mn 
conformltA  avac  laa  conditions  du  contrat  da 
fllmaga. 


Original  eopiaa  in  printad  papar  covara  ara  fiSmad 
baginning  with  tha  front  covar  and  anding  on 
tha  last  paga  with  a  printad  or  illuatratad  impraa> 
slon.  or  tha  back  covar  whan  appropriata.  AN 
othar  original  eopiaa  ara  fllmad  baginning  on  tha 
first  paga  with  a  printad  or  illuatratad  impraa* 
slon,  and  anding  on  tha  laat  paga  with  a  printad 
or  illuatratad  impraaaion. 


Tha  laat  raeordad  frama  on  aaeh  mierofieha 
Shan  contain  tha  symbol  -^  (moaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  tha  symbol  7  (moaning  "END"). 
¥vhlchavar  appliaa. 


Laa  axamplalraa  originaux  dont  la  couvartura  an 
papiar  aat  ImprimAa  sont  fllmto  an  commanpant 
par  la  pramiar  plat  at  an  tarminant  soit  par  la 
darnlAra  paga  qui  comporta  una  amprainta 
d'imprasslon  ou  d'illustratlon,  soit  par  la  sacond 
plat,  salon  la  caa.  Toua  las  autras  axamplairas 
originaux  sont  fiimAa  an  commandant  par  la 
pramlAra  paga  qui  comporta  una  amprainta 
d'impraaaion  ou  d'illuatratlon  at  t\  tarminant  par 
la  darniara  paga  qui  comporta  una  talla 
amprainta. 

Un  daa  symbolaa  suivanta  spparaltra  sur  la 
darniira  imaga  da  chaqua  mierofieha.  salon  la 
caa:  la  symbols  -^  signlfla  "A  SUIVRE".  la 
symbols  ▼  signlfla  "FIN". 


Mapa.  plataa.  charta.  ate.,  may  ba  fllmad  at 
diffarant  reduction  ratioa.  Thoaa  too  large  to  ba 
entirely  included  in  one  expoeure  era  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  comer,  left  to 
right  end  top  to  bottom,  aa  many  framae  aa 
required.  The  followinj  diagrama  illuatrata  the 
method: 


Laa  cartea.  planches,  tablaeux.  etc..  peuvent  itre 
fllm*8  i  daa  taux  da  rMuctlon  diffirents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atra 
reproduit  en  un  «eul  clichA.  il  est  film*  A  partir 
da  Tangle  sup4rieur  geuche,  do  gauche  i  droite, 
et  do  haut  en  bee.  an  pranent  le  nombre 
d'imagee  nAcessaira.  Lee  diagrammea  suivants 
illuatrent  la  mithoda. 


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LIFE 


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OF 


GEN.  PUTNAM. 


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AN 


-fl- .       ESSAY  • 

oir  THB 


.7  ''■      •  ji  '^fl^-' 


■// 


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^    '  ■ 


OF  THB  {^ 

HONOURABLE  MAJOR  GENERAL        ^ 

ISRAEL  PUTNAM. 

-     "  ADDRESSED   TO 

THE     STATE     SOCIETY    OF    THE    CINCINNATI     IN 
CONNECTICUT,  ^1 

And  first  published  by  their  order.  r -. 

BY  COL.  DAVID   HUMPHREYS. 


V  ._     /j,-       h 


WITH 


¥'-.. 


■» .  f  ■ 


NOTES  AND  ADDITIONS.    ^        ^vj^ 


WITH    AN 

APPENDIX, 

CONTAINING  AN 

% 

HISTORICAL    AND  TOPOORAPHIQAL 

SKETCH 

OP 

BY  S.  SWETT. 


-.■  -  ,»*' 


rvi 


BOSTON : 

PUBLISHED    BY    SAMUEL  AVERY, 
JSTo.  89  Court  Street,    m  ' 

1818. 


■'ft.' 


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ir: 


TO  THE        ^ 


«'  .. 


HON.  COL.  JEREMIAH  WADSWORTH, 

President  of  the  State  Society  of  the  Cincinnati 
in  Connecticut,  &c. 


■?* 


Ifv  DEAH  Sir,  w-:^^:M^ 

Unavoidable  absence  will  prevent  me 
from  performing  the  grateful  task  assigned 
me  by  the  State  Society  of  the  Cincinnati  on 
the  fourth  day  of  July  next.  Though  I  can« 
not  personally  address  them,  I  wish  to  demon- 
strate, by  some  token  of  affectionate  remem- 
brance, the  sense  I  entertain  of  the  honour 
they  have  more  than  once  conferred  upon  me 
by  their  suffrages.  . 

Meditating  in  what  manner  to  accomplish 
this  object,  it  occurred  to  me,  that  an  attempt 
to  preserve  the  actions  of  General  Putnam,  in 
the  archives  of  our  State  Society,  would  be 
acceptable  to  its  members,  as  they  had  all 
served  with  great  satisfaction  under  his  imme- 
diate orders.    An  essay  on  the  life  of  a  per- 


v  * 


t-t^ 


"^S'-^U"!"-  -»-^v> 


'i  .-Tr 


w- 


r  i''  ■' . 


■"'"''"■■    .;-;      ^f*' 


9.         LETTER   TO   COLONEL   WADS  WORTH. 

8on  80  elevated  in  military  rank,  and  so  con- 
versant in  extraordinary  scenes,  could  not  be 
destitute  of  amusement  and  instruction,  and 
would  possess  the  advantage  of  presenting  for 
imitation  a  respectable  model  of  public  and 
private  virtues. 

General  Putnam 's  universally  acknowledg- 
ed to  have  been  as  brave  and  as  honest  a  man 
as  ever  America  produced;  but  the  distin- 
guishing features  of  his  character,  and  the  par- 
ticular transactions  of  his  life,  arc  but  imper- 
fectly known.  He  seems  to  have  been  form- 
ed on  purpose  for  the  age  in  which  he  lived. 
His  native  courage,  unshaken  integrity,  and 
established  reputation  as  a  soldier,  were  ne- 
cessary in  the  early  stages  of  our  opposition  to 
the  designs  of  Great  Britain,  and  gave  un- 
bounded confidence  to  our  troops  in  their  first 
conflicts  in  the  field  of  battle. 

The  enclosed  manuscript  justly  claims  in- 
dulgence for  its  venial  errors,  as  it  is  the  first 
effort  in  Biography  that  has  been  made  on 
this  continent.  The  attempt,  1  am  conscious, 
is  laudable,  whatever  may  be  the  failure  in 
point  of  execution. 

I  am  happy  to  find  the  Society  of  the  Cin- 
cinnati is  now  generally  regarded  in  a  favoura- 


/:. ,- 


LETTER   TO   COLONEL   WADSWORTH. 


9' 


f 


ble  manner.     Mankind,  with  few  exceptions, 
are  disposed  to  do  justice  to  the  motives  on 
which  it  was  founded.     For  ourselves,  we 
can  never  recall  to  mind  the  occasion,  without 
feeling  the  most  tender  emotions  of  friendship 
and  sensibility.     At  the  dissolution  of  the  ar- 
my, when  we  retired  to  separate  walks  of  life, 
from  the  toils  of  a  successful  war,  in  which  we 
had  been  associated  during  a  very  important 
part  of  our  lives,  the  pleasing  idea,  and  the 
fond  hope  of  meeting  once  a  year,  which  gave 
birth  to  our  fraternal  institution^  were  necessa- 
ry consolations  to  sooth  the   pangs  that  tore 
our  bosoms  at  the  melancholy  hour  of  parting. 
When  our  hands  touched,  perhaps  for  the.  last 
time,  and  our  tongues  refused  to  perfoi  m  their 
office  in  bidding  farewell,  heaven  witnessed 
and  approved  the  purity  of  our  intentions  in 
the  ardour  of  our  affections.     May  we  per- 
severe in  the  union  of  our  friendship,  and  the 
exertion  of  our  benevolence;  regardless  of  the 
censures  of  jealous  suspicion,  which  charges 
our  designs  with  selfishness,  and  ascribes  our 
actions  to  improper  motives ;   while  we  real- 
ize sentiments  of  a  nobler  nature  in  our  anni- 
versary festivities,  and  our  hearts  dilate  with 
aQ  honest  joy,  in  opening  the  hand  of  benefi- 


A* 


^' 


LETTER  TO  COLONEL  WADSWORTH. 


cence  to  the  indigent  widow  and  unprotected 
orphan  of  our  departed  friends.         •* 

I  pray  you,  my  dear  Sir,  to  present  my 
most  respectful  compliments  to  the  members 
of  the  Society,  and  to  assure  them,  on  my 
part,  that  whensoever  it  shall  be  in  my  power, 
I  shall  esteem  it  the  felicity  of  my  life  to  at- 
tend their  anniversaries. 
-^  ■  I  have  the  honour  to  be, 

^'      With  sentiments  of  the  highest  consideration  and 

"fifil^i        esteem. 

Your  most  obedient  and  most  humble  serrani; 

9,T    :   J     ,.,  D.  HUMPHREYS. 


MounUVemon,  in  Virginia, 

^'         June  4, 1788. 

'•^-  ;.     , 

1 

'i^%:i'.l  'J.Y    '._  'ii      .,'  V..',;   ■.-■ 

1 

^ii  bow-  .'h;^  ':■»', TF'H  ■£'.      '/ 

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■  -■    i 

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•<<-:,  J- 

■ii'M^  ?«.i  *u  'i;..:'     M^   •  ^!    . 

*  • 

# 


^i;' 


■■■"■"'''"'       ■ :;.  ;:r.:..-        ESSAY  **^^-^^«^;^^-" 


.:./  'Mj 


•  ru 


■«.. 


ON  THE 


LIFE  OP  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


■-URT-'i/  V  Jl '*■'■- 


;r  <^^%\#'i^.  v^:  ■:?^'^<4'-,r'  m 


To  TREAT  of  recent  transactions  and  per- 
sons still  living,  is  always  a  delicate,  and  frcr 
quently  a  thankless  office.  Yet,  while  the  par- 
tiality of  friends,  or  the  malignity  of  enemies, 
decides  with  rashness  on  every  delineation  of 
character,  or  recital  of  circumstances,  a  con- 
solation remains,  that  distant  nations,  and  re- 
moter ages,  free  from  the  influence  of  prejup 
dice  or  passion,  will  judge  with  impartiahty, 
and  appreciate  with  justice.  We  have  fallen 
upon  an  era  singularly  prolific  in  extraordi- 
nary personages,  and  dignified  by  splendid 
events.  Much  is  expected  from  the  selection^ 
of  the  judicious  biographer,  as  wt  II  as  from 
the  labours  of  the  faithful  historian.  VV  hat- 
ever  prudential  reasons  may  now  occur  to 
postpone  the  portrait  of  our  own  times,  the 
difficulties  which  oppose  themselves  to  the 
execution,  instead  ot  being  diminished,  will  in- 
crease with  the  lapse  of  years.  Every  day 
will  extinguish  some  life  that  was  dear  to  fame, 


>?* 


« 


^ 


10 


LIFE   OF   GENERAL   PUTNAIH. 


!<'.' 


and  obliterate  the  memorial  of  some  deed 
which  would  have  constituted  the  delight  and 
admiration  of  the  world. 

So  transient  and  indistinguishable  are  the 
traits  of  character,  so  various  and  inexplicable 
the  springs  of  action,  so  obscure  and  perisha- 
ble the  remembrance  of  human  affairs,  that, 
unless  attempts  are  made  to  sketch  the  pic- 
ture, while  the  present  generation  is  living,  the 
likeness  will  be  for  ever  lost,  or  only  preserv- 
ed by  a  va^ue  recollection ;  disguised  perhaps, 
by  the  whimsical  colourings  of  a  creative  im- 
agination. 

It  will,  doubtless,  hereafter  be  an  object  of 
regret,  that  those  who,  having  themselves 
been  conspicuous  actors  on  the  theatre  of  pub- 
lic life,  and  who,  in  conjunction  with  a  knowl- 
edge of  facts,  possess  abilities  to  paint  those 
characters,  and  describe  those  events  which, 
during  the  progress  of  the  American  Revolu- 
tion, interested  and  astonished  mankind,  should 
feel  an  insuperable  reluctance  to  assume  the 
task — a  tasK  which,  if  executed  with  6delity, 
must,  from  the  dignity  of  its  subject,  become 
grateful  to  the  patriots  of  all  nations,  and 
profitable  in  example  to  the  remotest  posteri- 
iy.  £qua1ly  severe  will  be  the  mortification 
of  contemplating  the  reveries  and  fictions 
which  !;ave  been  substituted  by  hacknied  wri- 
ters in  the  place  of  historical  facts.  Nor  should 
we  suppress  our  indignation  against  that  class 
of  professional  authors,  who,  placed  in  the 
vale  of  penury  and  obscurity,  at  an  immense 


"■;'  ssK-'f 


LIFE   OF   GENERAL   PUTNAM.  II 

distance  from  the  scenes  of  action,  and  all  op- 
portunities of  acouirin^  the  '  necessary  docu- 
ments, with  InsuneraDie  effrontery,  ohtrude 
their  fallac:  .'s  and  crude  performances  on  a 
credulous  public.  Did  the  result  of  their  lu- 
cubrations terminate  only  in  relieving  their  own 
distresses,  or  gratifying  their  individual  vanity, 
it  might  be  passea  in  silent  contempt.  But 
the  effect  is  extensive,  permanent,  and  perni- 
cious. The  lie,^  however  improbable  or 
monstrous,  which  has  once  assumed  the  sem- 
blance of  truth,  by  being  ofteir  repeated  with 
minute  and  plausible  particulars,  is,  at  length, 
so  thoroughly  established,  as  to  obtain  uni- 
versal credit,  defy  contradiction,  and  frustrate 
every  effort  of  refutation.  Such  is  the  mis- 
chief, such  are  the  unhappy  consequences  on 
the  bewildered  mind,  that  the  reader  has  no 
alternative,  but  to  become  the  dupe  of  his 
credulity,  or  distrust  the  veracity  of  almost  all 
human  testimony.  After  having  long  bejen  the 
sport  of  fiction,  he  will,  perhaps,  prooably  run 
into  the  opposite  extreme,  ana  give  up  all  con- 
fidence in  the  annals  of  ancient  as  well  as  mod- 
ern times  ;  and  thus  the  easy  believer  of  fine 
fables  and  marvellous  stories  will  find,  at  last, 
his  historical  faith  change  to  scepticism,  and 
end  in  infidelity. 


imense 


*  The  writer  had  here  pHrileulArtv  in  his  eye,  the  Rhapsody 
palmed  upou  thu  puMic,  uikIct  llie  luunu  of  a  History,  by  a  oerUin 
Frenchman,  called  D'Auberteiid  :  I'cihapi  an  much  falsehood,  fel- 
ly and  uuluiilnv  wac  never  before  Hceumiilatcd  in  a  single  pcrform- 


^ 


■< 


K-' 


t 


I 


12 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


't^-- 


«  The  numerous  errors  and  falsehoods  rela- 
tive to  the  birth  and  achievements  of  Major- 
General  Putnam,  which  have  (at  a  fornLjr  pe- 
riod) been  circulated  with  assiduity  on  both 
sides  of  the  Atlantic,  and  the  uncertainty 
which  appeared  to  prevail  with  respect  to  his 
real  character,''*'  first  prodliced  the  resolution 
of  writing  this  essay  on  his  life,  and  induced 
the  Eklitor  to  obtaint  materials  from  that  hero 
himself.  If  communications  of  such  authentici- 
ty, if  personal  intimacy  as  an  aid-de-camp  to 
that  genera],  or  if  subsequent  military  em- 
ployments, which  afforded  access  to  sources| 


./«'. 


*  The  following  liae»are  extracted  from  a  poem,  entitled  **Th« 
Prospect  of  America  i'*  written  b^  the  late  ingenious  Dr.  Ladd. 


i  a'l-i 


**  Hail  Putnam  !  hail  thou  venerable  name  !  (^  .m, 

'*  The'  dark  oblivion  threats  thy  mis;hty  fame, 

"  II  threats  in  rain-— for  long  shalt  thou  be  known*       :>: 

*'  Who  first  in  virtue  and  in  buttle  shone. 

"  When  fourscore  years  had  blanchM  thy  laureird  head, 

"  Strong  in  thine  age,  the  flame  of  war  was  spread."  . ,  ^ 


?/•;» 


■i;4^^-: 


On  which  Dr.  Ladd  made  this  note  : 


■■h'-.-fifi', '  K 


"  The  brave  Putnam  seems  to  have  been  almost  obscured  amidst 
*'  the  glare  of  succeeding  worthies;  but  his  early  and  gallant  ser- 
••  vices  entitle  him  to  an  everiastin*!:  remembrance." 
«^<  Other  bards  have  hIso  asserted  the  gior^  of  this  venerable  vete« 
ran.  In  the  first  concise  review  of  the  prmoipal  Ameriaan  heroes 
who  signalized  iheraVelves  in  the  lust  war,  the  same  character  ii 
thus  represented :  ^   -■    ....      .,; 

"  There  stood  stern  Piitnnm,  8eam*d  with  many  a  soar, 
••  The  veteran  honours  of  an  early  war." 

The  Fiaion  of  Columbu:    Bo^k  V, 

t  The  editor  seizes  with  eagerness  nn  opportunity  of  acknowl- 
edging his  obligations  to  Dr.  Albigenoe  Waldo,  who  was  so  oblit^ing 
as  to  commit  to  writing  many  anecdotes,  communicated  to  him  by 
General  Putnam  in  the  course  of  the  present  year. 
J, 

\  A  multitude  of  proofs  might  be  produced  to  demonstrate  that 
militai7  facts  cannot  always  be  accurately  known  but  by  the  com- 
mander in  chief  and  his  confidentiul  uhicers.    The   Marquis  de 


'is^ 


■m^- 


LIFE    OF   GEKfiRAL    PUTNAM. 


13 


of  intelligence  not  open  to  others,  give  the 
writer  any  advantages,  the  unbiassed  mind  will 
decide  how  far  they  exculpate  him  from  the 
imputations  of  that  officiousness,  ignorance  and 
presumption,  which,  in  others,  have  been  re- 
prehenaed  with  severity.  He  only  wishes  that 
a  premature  and  unfavourable  construction 
may  not  be  formed  of  his  motive  or  object 
Should  this  essay  have  any  influence  in  correct- 

Chastelleux  (whose  opportunity  to  acquire  genuine  ioforraation, 
respecting  those  parts  of  the  American  war  which  he  hath  casualty 
mentioned,  was  better  than  that  of  any  otitcr  writer)  givex  an  ac- 
count of  a  grand  f<>r»ge  which  General  He»th  ordered  to  be  made 
towards  King's  brhlgu  in  the  autumn  of  1780  The  Marquis,  who 
WHS  present  when  the  detachment  marched,  and  to  whom  General 
Heath  shewed  the  orders  that  were  given  to  General  Siark,  the 
commanding  officer  of  the  expedition,  observes  that  he  had  never 
seen,  in  manuscript,  or  print,  more  pertinent  instructions.  Now 
the  face  is,  that  this  detachment,  under  the  pretext  ol  a  forage,  was 
intended  by  the  Commander  in  CItief  to  cooperate  with  the  maia 
army  in  an  attempt  a^inst  the  enemy 'b  posts  on  York  Island  ;  and 
that  General  Heath  h.mself  was  then  ignorant  of  the  real  design. 
The  Commander  in  Chief  spent  a  whole  campaign  in  ripening 
this  pi*oject  Boats,  mounted  on  travelling  carriages,  were  kept 
constantly  with  the  army.  The  Marquis  de  la  Favette,  at  the 
head  of  the  Light  Infantryi  was  to  have  made  the  attack  ia 
the  night  on  fort  Washington.  The  period  chosen  for  this  enter'* 
prise  was  the  very  time,  when  the  army  were  to  break  up  their 
camp  and  march  into  winter  quarters:  so  that  the  Commanderin 
Chief,  moving  in  the  dusk  of  the  evenings  would  have  been  on  the 
banks  of  the  Hudson,  with  hi*  whole  force,  to  have  supported  the 
attack.  The  cautious  manner  in  which  the  cooperation  on  the 
part  of  the  troops  sent  })j/  General  Henth,  on  the  pretended  f«rage» 
was  to  have  been  conducted,  will  be  uuderatood  from  the  foUuwuig 
secret  instructions.  ,      ,  ,-.-    , 


To  Brigadier  General  St  AUK. 

Bead  Quarters,  Passaic  Falls,  JVW.  21,  1780. 
"Sia, 

"  Colonel  Humphreys,  one   of  mv  Aids  de-camp,  ii 

charged  by  me  with  orders  of  a  private  and  particular  nature, 

which  he  is  to  deliver  to  you,  and  whidi  you  arc  to  obey.     He 

will  inform  you  of  the  ucce»sity  of  this  mode  of  commuoicatioo. 

*<  I  am,  Sir,  &o. 

"G.  WASHINGTON." 

2* 


,m/..  -   *__.'. 


"*;<',.;*  : 


* 


ft'; 


^. 


-w^ 


:%S 


u 


LIFE    OF    GENERAL    PUTNAM. 


iog  mistakes,  or  rescuing  from  oblivion  the  ac- 
tions of  that  distinguished  veteran ;  should  it 
create  an  emulation  to  copy  his  domestic,  mau- 
1 J  and  heroic  virtues;  or  should  it  prompt 
some  more  skilful  hand  to  portray  the  illus- 
trious group  of  patriots,  sages  and  heroes, 
who  have  guided  our  councils,  fdught  our  bat- 
ties,  and  adorned  the  memorable  epocha  of 
independance,  it  will  be  an  ample  compsnsa- 


i.i 


**  To  Lieuteoant  Colonel  David  IIuiiPHiiBYS,  A.  D.  Camp. 

**  You  are  immediately  to  proceed  to  West  Point,  an<l 
*'  eommunicate  the  business  committed  to  you,  in  confidence,  to 
*'  Major  General  Heath,  and  to  no  other  person  whatsoever  ;  from 
"  thence  you  will  repair  to  the  detachment  at  the  White  Plains,  on 
**  Friday  next,  taking  measures  to  prevent  their  leaving  that 
*' place  before  you  get  to  them.  And  in  the  course  of  the  sue- 
"  ceeding  ni||ht  you  may  inform  the  commanding  officer  of  the 
"  enterprise  m  contemplation  against  the  enem^  s  posts  on  York 
"  Island. 

**  As  the  troops  are  constantly  to  lie  on  their  arms,  no  previous 
*'  notice  should  be  given :  but  they  may  be  put  in  motion  precisely 
**  at  four  o'clock,  and  commence  a  slow  and  regular  march  to  King  s 
"  bridge,  until  they  shall  discover  or  be  informed  of  the  conceited 
*'  signals  being  made,  when  the  march  must  be  pressed  with  the 
'*  ereateit  rapidity.  Parties  of  horse  should  be  sent  forward  to 
"  keep  a  look  out  for  the  signals. 

**  Although  the  main  body  ought  to  be  kept  compact,  patroles  of 
**  horse  and  light  parties  might  be  sent  towards  Kast  and  West 
*'  Chester  :  and  upon  the  signals  being  discovered,  Sheldon's  regi< 
"  ment  and  the  Connecticut  State  troops  (which  may  also  be  put 
**  in  motion  as  soon  as  the  orders  can  be  communicated  after  4 
«  o'clock)  should  be  pushed  forward  to  intercept  any  of  the  enemy, 
**  who  may  attempt  to  gain  Fro{>'8  Neck,  and  to  cut  off  the  Refu< 
*' gee-corps  at  Morrissania.  A  few  men,  with  some  address,  may 
**  spread  such  an  alarm  as  to  prevent  an  attempt  of  the  eiiem}  to 
**  retreat  to  Frog's  Neck,  from  an  apprehension  of  surrounding 
*•  parlies. 

**  You  will  communicate  these  instructions  to  the  commanding 
**  officer  of  tlie  detachment,  who,  upon  his  approach  to  King's- 
"  bridge,  will  receive  orders  from  me  as  early  as  possible. 

**  Should  the  signals  not  be  discovered,  the  troops  will  halt  at 
"  least  six  miles  from  the  bridge,  until  further  intelligence  can  be 
**  obtained. 


^ 


AJi.^M»  ^\     . 


■  .'.^  ■  ■ 


!<,•■■■ 


^,??P;'^^'j' 


'■•fc 


;*n. 


LIFE   OF   GENERAL    PUTNAM. 


tion  for  the  trouble,  and  excite  a  consolatorj 
reflection  through  every  vicissitude  of  life* 

Israel  Putnam,  who,  through  a  regular 
gradation  of  promotion,  became  the  senior  Ma- 
jor-Gene ral  in  the  army  of  the  United  States, 
and  next  in  rank  to  General  Washington,  was 
born  at  Salem,  in  the  Province  (now  State)  of 
Massachusetts,  on  the  7th  day  of  January, 
1718.  His  father.  Captain  Joseph  Putnam, 
was  the  son  of  Mr.  John  Putnam,  who,  with 
two  brothers,  came  from  the  south  of  England, 
and  were  ampng  the  first  settlers  of  Salem.  .. 

When  we  thus  behold  a  person,  from  the 
humble  walks  of  life,  starting  unnoticed  in  the 

"  The  absolute  necessity  of  the  most  perfect  secrecy  is  the  coca- 
(<  siuu  of  coiumunicatin,;;  luy  orders  through  this  channel. 

■    ..■,..,;        *•  Given  at  Head  Quarters,  Passaic  Falls, 

"  tliis 'Z'id  day  of  J\'oc.  i7m. 
'  "G.  WASHINGTON." 

yever  was  a  plan  better  arranged :  and  never  did  circumstances 
promise  more  sure  or  complete  success.  The  British  were  not 
only  unalarmt't.^,  but  our  own  troops  were  likewise  entirely  mis- 
guided in  their  expectations.  The  accidental  intervention  or  some 
vessels  prevented  at  tliis  time  the  attempt ;  which  was  more  than 
once  resuuicd  afterwards.  Notwithstanding  this  favourite  project 
was  not  ultimately  effected*  it  was  evidently  not  less  bold  lo  oob- 
veption  or  feasible  in  accomplishment,  than  tliat  atiernpt«d  so  sue* 
cessfuUy  at  Trenton,  or  than  that  which  was  brought  to  so  glorious 
ati  issue  iu  the  succestfful  siege  of  York-Town. 

It  is  true  the  IVlarouis  de  Chastellenx,  whose  professional 
knowledge  and  fountain-head  intelligence  have  enabled  him  to  de- 
scribe several  actions  better  than  they  are  elsewhere  dcsoribedy 
epeaks  in  this  instance  of  an  ulterior  object ;  and  says,  that  secrets 
were  preserved  more  inviolably  iu  the  American  tbab  in  the 
French  arm}'.     His  words  are: 

•*  C'est  que  le  secret  est  garde  tres  exactement  a  I'arititee  Amer- 
'*  icaine  ;  pen  de  persounes  ont  part  a  la  confiance  du  Chel^  et  «n 
*'  general   on  y  [)arle  moins  que  dans  les  armees  Francoises  dcs 
**  operations  de  la  guerre,  et  dc  oe  que  Ton  appelle  ches  noiil  Igs  \ 
*' jyouvelle*:* 


■■■^'A 


»  " 


■■■'xi^'i,:icv;-r^nr'!'^i 


16 


LIFE   OF   GENERAL    FtJTNAIkl. 


career  of  fame,  and,  by  an  undevlating  pro- 
gress through  a  life  of  honour,  arriving  at  the 
highest  dignity  in  the  state,  curiosity  is  strong- 
ly excited,  and  philosophy  loves  to  trace  the 
path  of  glory  from  the  cradle  of  obscurity  to 
the  summit  of  elevation. 

Although  our  ancestors,  the  first  settlers  of 
this  land,  amidst  the  extreme  pressure  of  pov- 
erty and  danger,  early  instituted  schools  for  the 
education  of  youth  designed  for  the  learned 
professions,  yet  it  was  thought  sufficient  to  in- 
struct those  destined  to  labour  on  the  earth, 
in  reading,  writing,  and  such  rudiments  of 
arithmetic  as  might  be  requisite  for  keeping  the 
accounts  of  their  little  transactions  with  each 
other.  Few  farmer's  sons  had  more  advan- 
tages, none  less.  In  this  state  of  mediocrity  it 
was  the  lot  of  young  Putnam  to  be  placed.  His 
early  instruction  v(' as  not  considerable,  and  the 
active  scenes  of  life  in  which  he  was  afterwards 
engaged,  prevented  the  opportunity  of  great 
literary  improvement.  His  numerous  original 
letters,  though  deficient  in  scholastic  accuracy, 
always  display  the  goodness  of  his  heart,  and 
frequently  the  strength  of  his  native  genius. 
He  had  a  certain  laconic  mode  of  expression, 
and  an  unaffected  epigrammatic  turn,  which 
characterised  most  of  his  writings.  ^ 

To  compensate  partially  for  the  deficiency 
of  education  (thougn  nothing  can  remove  or 
counterbalance  the  inconveniencies  experienc- 
ed from  it  in  public  life)  he  derived  from  his 
parents  the  source  of  innumerable  advantages 


LIFE    OF   GENERAL   PUTNAM. 


■  Vi 


in  the  stamina  of  a  vigorous  constitution.  Na- 
ture, liberal  in  bestowing .  on  him  bodily 
strength,  hardiness,  and  activity,  was  by  no 
means  parsimonious  in  mental  endowments* 
While  we  leave  the  qualities  of  the  under- 
standing to  be  developed  in  the  process  of 
life,  it  may  not  be  improper,  in  this  place,  to 
designate  some  of  the  circumstances  which 
were  calculated  to  distinguish  him  afterwards 
as  a  partizan  officer. «--  :^  ■■  *  ;,  /^  j*  r  ,,> 
.1  Courage,  enterprise,  activity,  and  perse- 
verance were  the  first  characteristics  df  ~  his 
mind.  There  is  a  kind  of  mechanical  couraffe, 
the  offspring  of  pride,  habit,  or  discipline,  that 
may  push  a  coward  not  only  to  perform  his 
duty,  but  even  to  venture  on  acts  of  heroism. 
Putnam's  courage  was  of  a  different  species. 
It  was  ever  attended  with  a  serenity  of  soul,  a 
clearness  of  conception,  a  degree  of  self-pos- 
session, and  a  superiority  to  all  the  vicissitudes 
of  fortune,  entirelv  distinct  from  any  thing  that 
can  be  produced  by  the  ferment  of  blood,  and 
flutter  <5f  spirits ;  which  not  unfrequently  pre- 
cipitate men  to  action,  when  stimulated  by  in- 
toxication or  some  other  transient  exhilaration. 
The  heroic  character,  thus  founded  on  consti- 
tution and  animal  spirits,  cherished  by  educa- 
tion and  ideas  of  personal  freedom,  confirmed 
by  temperance  and  habits  of  exercise,  was 
completed  by  the  dictate  of  reason,  the  love  of 
his  country,  and  an  invincible  sense  of  duty. 
f^uch  were  the  qualities  and  principles  that 
ennabled  him  to  meet  unappalled,  the  shafts  of 


^<,.».r,-,-  r\ 


■'■•-'  '->*S^,.'''*-';-'l"-  :.'?■' 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


ijt. 


;  1 


1'. 


adversity,  and  to  pass  in  triumph  through  the 
furnace  of  affliction. 

His  disposition  was  as  frank  and  generous 
as  his  mind  was  fearless  and  independarit.  He 
disguised  nothing ;  indeed  he  seemed  incapa- 
ble of  disguise.  Perhaps  in  the  intercourse 
he  was  ultimately  obliged  to  have  with  an  art- 
ful world,  his  sincerity,  on  some  occasions,  out- 
went his  discretion.  Although  he  had  too 
much  suavity  in  his  nature  to  commence  a 
quarrel,  he  had  too  much  sensibility  not  to  feel, 
and  ^oo  much  honour  not  to  resent  an  intend- 
ed insult.  The  first  time  he  went  to  Boston 
he  was  insulted  for  his  rusticity  by  a  boy  of 
twice  his  size  and  age ;  after  bearing  the  sar- 
casms until  his  patience  was  worn  out,  he  chal- 
lenged, engaged,  and  vanquished  his  unman- 
nerly antagonist,  to  the  great  diversion  of  a 
crowd  of  spectators.  While  a  stripling,  his 
ambition  was  to  perform  the  labour  of  a  man, 
and  to  excel  in  athletic  diversions.  In  that 
rude,  but  masculine  age,  whenever  the  village 
youth  assembled  on  their  usual  occasions  of 
festivity,  pitching  the  bar,  running,  leaping, 
and  wrestling  were  favourite  amusements.  At 
such  gymnastic  exercises  (in  which,  during  the 
heroic  times  of  ancient  Greece  and  Rome, 
conquest  was  considered  as  the  promise  of  fu- 
ture military  fame)  he  bore  the  palm  from  al- 
most every  ring. 

Before  the  refinements  of  luxury,  and  the 
consequent  increase  of  expences  had  rendered 
the  mainteniince  of  a  family  inconvenient  or 


at. 


A 


LIFE   or  GENERAL   PUTNAM* 

burdensome  in  America,  the  sexes  entered  in- 
to matrimony  at  an  early  age.  Competence, 
attainable  by  all,  was  the  limit  of  pursuit. 
After  the  hardships  of  making  a  new  settle- 
ment were  overcome,  and  the  evils  of  penury 
removed,  (he  inhabitants  enjoyed,  in  the  lot  of 
equality,  innocence  and  security,  scenes  eoual- 
]y  delightful  with  those  pictured  by  the  glow- 
ing imagination  of  the  poets  in  their  favourite 
pastorailife,  or  fabulous  golden  age.  Indeed, 
the  condition  of  mankind  was  never  more  en- 
viable. Neither  disparity  of  age  and  fortune, 
nor  schemes  of  ambition  and  grandeur,  nor 
the  pride  and  avarice  of  high-minded  and  mer- 
cenary parents,  interposed  those  obstacles  to 
the  union  of  congenial  souls,  which  frequently 
in  more  polished  society  prevent,  embitter  or 
destroy  all  the  felicity  of  the  connubial  state. 
Mr.  Putnam  before  ne  attained  the  twenty- 
first  year  of  his  age,  married  Miss  Pope, 
daughter  of  Mr.  John  Pope  of  Salem,  by  whom 
he  had  ten  children,  seven  of  whom  are  still 
living.  He  lost  the  wife  of  his  youth  in  1764. 
Some  time  after  he  married  Mrs.  Gardiner, 
widow  of  the  late  Mr.  Gardiner  of  Gardiner^s 
Island,  by  whom  he  had  no  issue.  She  died 
in  1777. 

In  the  year  1739  he  removed  from  Salem  to 
Pomfret,  an  inland  fertile  town  in  Connecticut, 
forty  miles  east  of  Hartford :  having  here  pur- 
chased a  considerable  tract  of  land  he  applied 
himself  successfully  to  agriculture. 


■In. 


.;?  :i'j:A'm\!i- 


*(• 


''*^*-A-'^. 


■v.  .i.^ 


'ilt'     '-nv 


^f.--'.- 


«C* 


SO 


LIFB  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


'''  The  first  jears,  on  a  new  farm,  are  not,  how- 
ever, exempt  from  disasters  and  disappoint- 
ments, which  can  only  be  remedied  by  stubborn 
and  patient  industry.  Our  farmer,  sufficiently 
occupied  in  building  an  house  and  barn,  felling 
wooas,  making  fences,  sowing  grain,  planting 
orchards  and  taking  care  of  nis  stock,  had  to 
encounter,  in  turn,  the  calamities  occasioned  by 
drought  in  summer,  blast  in  harvest,  loss  of 
cattle  in  winter,  and  the  dessolation  of  his  sheep- 
fold  by  wolves.  In  one  night  he  had  seventy 
fine  sheep  and  goats  killed,  besides  many  Iambs 
and  kids  wounded.  This  havoc  was  commit- 
ted by  a  she  wolf,  which,  with  her  annud 
whelps,  had  for  several  years  infested  the  vi- 
cinity. The  young  were  commonly  destroy- 
ed by  the  vigilance  of  the  hunters,  but  the  old 
one  was  too  sagacious  to  come  within  reach  of 
gunshot :  upon  being  closely  pursued  she 
would  generally  fly  to  the  western  woods,  and 
return  the  next  winter  with  another  litter  of 
whelps. 

This  wolf,  at  length  became  such  an  intol- 
erablt)  nuisance,  that  Mr  Putnam  entered  into 
a  combination  with  five  of  his  neighbours  to 
hunt  alternately  until  they  could  destroy  her. 
Two  bv  rotation,  were  to  be  constantly  in  pur- 
suit. It  was  known,  that,  having  lost  the  toes 
from  one  foot,  by  a  steel  trap,  she  mH'h  one 
track  shorter  than  the  other.  By  diis  vesiige, 
the  pursuers  recogniztd,  in  a  light  snow,  the 
route  of  this  pernicious  animal.  Having  fol- 
lowed her  to  Connecticut  river  and  found  she 


V        -l.; 


*■ 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


21 


had  turned  back  in  a  direct  course  towards 
Pomfret,  they  immediately  returned,  and  by 
ten  o'clock  the  next  morning  the  blood-hounds 
I  id  driven  her  into  a  den,  about  three  miles 
distant  from  the  house  of  Mr.  Putnam :  The 
people  soon  collected  with  dogs,  guns,  straw, 
iire  and  sulphur  to  attack  the  common  enemy. 
With  this  apparatus  several  unsuccessful  ef- 
forts were  made  to  force  her  from  the  den. 
The  hounds  came  back  badly  wounded  and 
rf  ruscl  to  return.  The  smoke  of  blazing 
straw  had  no  effect.  Nor  did  the  fumes  of 
burnt  brimstone,  with  which  the  cavern  was 
filled,  compel  her  to  quit  the  retirement. 
Wearied  with  such  fruitless  attempts  (which 
had  brought  the  time  to  ten  o'clock  at  night) 
Mr.  Putnam  tried  once  more  to  make  his  dog 
enter,  but  in  vain ;  he  proposed  to  his  negro 
man  to  ^o  down  into  the  cavern  and  shoot  the 
wolf:  the  negro  declined  the  hazardous  ser- 
vice. Then  it  was  that  the  master,  angry 
at  the  disappointment,  and  declaring  that  he 
M'as  ashamed  to  have  a  coward  in  his  family, 
resolved  himself  to  destroy  the  ferocious  beast, 
lest  he  should  escape  throu^'h  some  unknown 
fissure  of  the  rock.  His  ne.^'  ^^ours  strongly 
remonstrated  against  the  perilous  enterprize : 
but  he,  knowing  that  wild  animals  were  intimi- 
dated by  nre,  and  having  provided  several 
strips  of  birch-bark,  the  only  combustible  ma- 
terial which  he  could  obtain,  that  would  afford 
li^ht  in  tlik  deep  and  darksome  cave,  prepar- 
ed for  his  descent.     Having,   accordingly,  di- 


:Jr 


#  ■■■-\u 


--w[_-rf.-^-'  ■  •^r---- 


te> 


•»>' 


22 


LIFE   OF  GENERAL   PUTNAM. 


Tested  himself  ofliiscoat  and  waistcoat,  and 
having  a  long  rope  fastened  round  his  legs,  by 
llhich  he  might  oe  pulled  back,  at  a  concert- 
ed signal^  he  entered  head  foremost,  with  the 
blazing  torch  in  his  hand. 

The  aperture  of  the  den,  on  the  east  side  of 
a  very  hiffh  ledge  of  rocks,  is  about  two  feet 
square ;  from  thence  it  descends  obliquely  fif- 
teen feet,  then  running  horizontally  about  ten 
more,  it  ascends  gradually  sixteen  feet   to- 
wards its  termination.     The  sides  of  this  sub^ 
terraneous  cavity  are  composed  of  smooth  and 
solid  rocks,  which  ^aem  to  have  been  divided 
jftom  each  other  by  some  former  earthquake. 
The  top  and  bottom  are  also  of  stone,  and  the 
entrance,  in  winter,  being  covered  with  ice,  is 
exceedingly  slippery.     It  is  in  no  place  high 
enough  for  a  man  to  raise  himself  upright, 
nor  in  any  part  more  than  three  feet  in  width. 
Having  groped  his  passage  to  the  horizon- 
tal part  of  the  den,  the  most  terrifying  dark- 
ness appeared  in  front  of  the  dim  circle  of 
light  afiorded  by  his  torch.     It  was  silent  as 
thf)  house  of  death.     None  but  monsters  of 
the  desert  had  ever  before  explored  this  soli- 
tary man<«ion  of  horror.     He,  cautiously  pro- 
ceeding onward,  came  to  the  ascent ;  whicn  he 
•lowly  mounted  on  his  hands  and  knees  until 
he  discovered   the   glaring  eye-balls  of  the 
wolf,  who  was  sitting  at  the  extremity  of  the 
cavern.     Started   at   the   sight   of   nrc,  she 
ffnashed  her  teeth,  and  gave  a  sullen  i^rowl. 
As  sppn  as  he  had  made  tne  necessary  discov- 


-*,- 


-  TR.^'7,-"-"' 


LIFE  OP  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


» 


oat,  and 
legs,  by 
concert- 
with  the 

st  side  of 

two  feet 
iquely  fif- 
ibout  ten 

feet   to- 
■  this  sub- 
1100 th  and 
jn  divided 
irthquake. 
le,  and  the 
vith  ice,  is 
3lace  high 
f  upright, 
t  in  width, 
e  horizon- 
ying  dark- 
1  circle  of 
silent  as 
lonsters  of 

d  this  soli- 
iousl;^  pro- 

;  whicn  he 
knees  until 

alls  of  the 
■nity  of  the 
fire,  she 

len  ffrowl. 

ary  discov- 


■| 


ery,  he  kicked  the  rope  as  a  signal  for  pulling 
him  out.  The  people,  at  the  mouth  of  the 
den,  who  had  listened  with  painful  anxiety, 
hearing  the  growling  of  the  wolf,  stnd  suppos- 
ing their  friend  to  be  in  the  most  imminent 
danger,  drew  him  forth  with  such  celerity  that 
his  shirt  was  stripped  over  his  head  and  his 
skin  severely  lacerated.  After  he  had  adjust- 
ed his  clothes,  and  loaded  his  gun  with  nine 
buck-shot,  holding  a  torch  in  one  hand  and 
the  musket  in  the  other,  he  descended  the  se- 
cond time.  When  he  drew  nearer  than  before, 
the  wolf,  assuming  a  still  more  fierce  and  ter- 
rible appearance,  howling,  rolling  her  eyes, 
snapping  her  teeth,  and  dropping  her  head 
between  her  legs,  was  evidently  m  the  atti- 
tude, and  on  the  point  of  springing  at  him.  At 
the  critical  instant  he  levelled  and  fired  at  her 
head.  Stunned  with  the  shock,  and  suffocated 
with  the  smoke,  he  immediately  found  himself 
(h-awn  out  of  the  cave.  But  having  refreshed 
Iiimseir,  and  permitted  the  smoke  to  dissipate, 
he  went  down  the  third  time.  Once  more  he 
carne  within  sight  of  the  wolf,  who  appearing 
very  passive,  he  applied  the  torch  to  her  nose, 
ancf  perceiving  her  dead,  he  took  hold  of  her 
ears, and  then  kicking  the  rope  Tstill  tied  round 
his  legs)  the  people  above  witli  no  small  ex- 
ultation dragged  them  both  out  together. 

I  have  oflered  tlicse  facts  in  greater  detail, 
because  they  contain  a  display  of  character ; 
and  because  they  have  been  erroneously  rela- 
ted in  several  European  pubncations,and  very 


''m."-  '^  • 


'  Av 


24 


LIFE    OF   GENERAL   PUTNAM. 


:• 


much  mutilated  in  the  history  of  Connecticut, 
a  work  as  replete  with  falsehood  as  destitute 
of  genius,  lately  printed  in  London. 

Jrrosperity,  at  length,  be^an  to  attend  the 
agricultural  affairs  of  Mr.  Putnam.  He  was 
acknowledged  to  be  a  skilful  and  indefatigable 
manager.  His  fields  were  mostly  enclosed 
with  stone  walls.  His  crops  commonly  suc- 
ceeded, because  the  land  was  well  tilled  and 
manured.  His  p'lstures  and  meadows  became 
luxuriant.  His  cattle  were  of  the  best  breed, 
and  in  good  order.  His  garden  and  fruit-trees 
prolific.  With  the  avails  of  the  surplusage  of 
his  produce,  foreign  articles  were  purchased. 
Within  doors  he  found  the  compensation  of 
his  labors  in  the  plenty  of  excellent  provisions, 
as  well  as  in  the  happiness  of  domestic  society* 

A  more  particular  description  of  his  transi- 
tion from  narrow  to  easy  circumstances  might 
be  given ;  but  the  mind  that  shall  have  ac- 
quired an  idea  of  the  habits  of  labour  and  sim- 
plicity, to  which  the  industrious  colonists  were 
accustomed,  will  readily  supply  the  omission. 
The  effect  of  this  gradual  acquisition  of  prop- 
erty, generally  favorable  to  mdividual  virtue 
and  public  felicity,  should  not  however  be 
passed  over  in  silence.  If  there  is  something 
fascinating  in  the  charms  of  a  country  life,  from 
the  contemplation  of  beautiful  l}»ndscapes, 
there  is  likewise  something  elevating  to  the 
soul,  in  the  consciousness  of  being  lord  of  the 
soil,  and  having  the  power  of  creating  them. 
The  man  can  scarcely  be  guilty  of  a  agrdid 


i 


I    r: 


LIFE    OP    GENERAL    PUTNAM 


18 


action,  or  even  descend  to  an  ungenerous 
thought,  who,  removed  from  the  apprehensioii 
of  want,  sees  his  farm  dailj  meliorating  and 
assuming  whatever  appearaace  he  pleases  to 
prescribe.  This  situation  converts  tlie  farmeif 
mto  a  species  of  rural  philosopher,  bj'^inspir- 
ing  an  fionest  pride  in  nis  rank  as  a  freeman, 
flattering  the  natural  propensity  for  personal 
independence,  and  nourishing  an  unlimited 
hospitality  and  philanthropy  in  his  social  char- 
acter. 

But  the  time  had  now  arrived  which  was 
to  turn  the  instruments  of  husbandry  into  wea- 
pons of  hostility,  and  t  exchange  the  hunting 
of  wolves,  who  had  ravaged  the  sheep-folds^ 
for  the  pursuit  ufter  savages,  who  had  desola- 
ted tlie  frontiers.  Mr.  Putnam  was  about  37 
years  old,  when  the  war  between  England  and 
France,  which  preceded  the  last,  broke  out  in 
America.  His  reputation  must  have  been 
favourably  known  to  the  government,  since 
among  the  first  troo])s  that  were  levied  by 
Connecticut,  m  1755^ he  was  appointed  to  the 
command  of  a  company  in  layman's  regiment 
of  Provincials.  I  have  mentioned  his  age  at 
this  period  expressly  to  obviate  a  prevalent 
opinion,  that  '^^  ^^'^s  far  advanced  in  life  when 
he  commenced  his  military  service. 

As  he  was  extremely  popular,  he  found  no 
difficulty  in  enlisting  his  complement  of  recruits 
from  the  most  hardy,  en^erprizing  and  respect- 
able young  men  of  his  neighbourhood.  The* 
regiment  joined  the  army,  at  the  opening  of 


0  •5 


Hst' 


>\ 


26 


LIFE    OP   GENERAL    PUTNAM. 


the  campaign,  not  far  distant  from  Crown- 
Point.  Soon  after  his  arrival  at  camp,  he  be- 
came intimately  acquainted  with  the  famous 
partizan  Captain,  afterwards  Major  Rogers, 
with  whom  he  was  frequently  associated  in 
traversing  the  wilderness,  reconnoitering  the 
enemy's  unes,  gaining  intelligence,  and  taking^ 
straggling  prisoners,  as  well  as  in  beating  up 
the  quarters  and  surprising  the  advanced  pick- 
ets of  their  army.  For  these  operations  a 
corps  of  rangers  was  formed  from  the  irregu- 
lars. The  first  time  Rogers  and  Putnam 
were  detached  with  a  party  of  these  light 
troops,  it  was  the  fortune  of  the  latter  to  pre- 
serve, with  his  own  hand,  the  life  of  the  for- 
mer, and  to  cement  their  friendship  with  the 
blood  of  one  of  their  enemies. 

The  object  of  this  expedition  was  to  obtain 
an  accurate  knowledge  of  the  position  and 
state  of  the  works  at  Crown-Point.  It  was 
impracticable  to  approach  with  their  party 
near  enough  for  this  purpose,  without  being 
discovered.  Alone,  the  undertaking  was  suf- 
ficiently hazardous,  on  account  of  the  swarms 
of  hostile  Indians  who  infested  the  woods. 
Our  two  partizans,  however,  left  all  their  men 
at  a  convenient  distance,  with  strict  orders  to 
continue  concealed  until  their  return.  Having 
thus  cautiously  taken  their  arrangements,  they 
advanced  with  the  profoundest  silence  in  the 
evening ;  and  lay,  during  the  night,  contiguous 
to  the  fortress.  Early  in  the  morning  they 
approached  so  close  as  to  be  able  to  give  sat- 


".W 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


27 


isfactorj  information  to  the  General  who  had 
sent  them,  on  the  several  points  to  which  their 
attention  had  been  directed :  but  Captain  Rog- 
ers, being  at  a  little  distance  from  Captain 
Putnam,  fortuitously  met  a  stout  Frenchman, 
who  instantly  seized  his  fusee  with  one  hand, 
and  with  the  other  attempted  to  stab  him, 
while  he  called  to  an  adjacent  guard  for  as- 
sistance. The  guard  answered.  Putnam,  per- 
ceiving the  imminent  danger  of  his  friend,  and 
that  no  time  was  to  be  lost,  or  further  alarm 
given  by  firing,  ran  rapidly  to  them,  while 
they  were  yet  struggling,  and  with  the  but-end 
of  his  piece  laid  the  Frenchman  dead  at  his 
feet.  The  partizans,  to  elude  pursuit,  pre- 
cipitated their  flight,  joined  the  party,  and  re- 
turned without  loss  to  the  encampment.  Not 
many  occasions  occurred  for  partizans  to  dis- 
play their  talents  in  the  course  of  this  summer./ 
The  war  was  chequered  with  various  fortune 
in  different  quarters — such  as  the  total  defeat 
of  General  craddock,  and  the  splendid  victory 
of  Sir  William  Johnson  over  the  French 
troops,  commanded  by  the  Baron  Dieskau. 
The  brilliancy  of  this  success  was  necessary 
to  console  the  Americans  for  the  disgrace  of 
that  disaster.  Here  I  might,  indeed,  take  a 
pride  in  contrasting  the  conduct  of  the  British 
regulars,  who  had  been  ambuscaded  on  the 
Monongahela,  with  that  of  the  Provincials 
(under  Johnson)  w^ho,  having  been  attacked 
in  their  lines,  gallantly  repulsed  the  enemy, 
and  took  their  general  prisoner,  did  I  consider 


<    ''^ 


28 


LIFB  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


i 


fnyselfat  liberty  to  swell  this  essay  with  re- 
flections on  events,  in  which  Putnam  was  not 
directly  concerned.  The  time  for  which  the 
colonial  troops  engaged  to  serve  terminated 
with  the  campaign.  Putnam  was  reappointed, 
and  again  took  the  field  in  1756. 

Few  are  so  ignorant  of  war  as  not  to  know, 
that  military  adventures,  in  the  night,  are  al- 
ways extremely  liable  to  accidents.  Captain 
Putnam,  having  been  commanded  to  reconnoi- 
tre the  enemy's  camp  at  the  Ovens  near  Ticon^ 
deroga^  took  the  brave  Lieutenant  Robert 
Durkee  as  his  companion.  In  attempting  to 
execute  these  orders,  he  narrowly  missed  be- 
ing taken  himself  in  the  first  instance,  and  kill- 
ing his  friend  in  the  second.  It  was  customa- 
ry for  the  British  and  Provincial  troops  to 
place  their  fires  round  their  camp,  which  fre- 
quently exposed  them  to  the  enemy's  scouts 
and  patroles.  A  contrary  practice,  then  un- 
known in  the  English  army,  prevailed  among 
the  French  and  Indians.  The  plan  was  much 
more  rational ;  they  kept  their  fires  in  the  cen- 
tre, lodged  their  men  circularly  at  a  distance, 
and  posted  their  centinels  in  the  surrounding 
darkness.  Our  partizans  approached  the 
camp,  and  supposing  the  Gentries  were  with- 
in the  circle  of  fires,  crept  upon  their  hands 
and  knees  with  the  greatest  possible  caution, 
until,  to  their  utter  astonishment,  they  found 
themselves  in  the  thickest  of  the  enemy.  The 
centinels,  discovering  them,  fired  ancl  slightly 
wounded  Durkee  in  the  thigh.     He  and  Put- 


LIFE  OP  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


29 


nam  had  no  alterative.  Thej  fled.  The  lat- 
ter, being  foremost  and  scarcely  able  to  see 
his  hand  before  him,  soon  plunged  into  a  clay- 
pit.^  Durkee,  almost  at  the  identical  moment, 
came  tumbling  after.  Putnam  by  no  means 
pleased  at  findmg  a  companion,  and  believing 
him  to  be  one  of  the  enemy,  lifted  his  toma- 
hawk to  give  the  deadly  blow,  when  Durkee, 
(who  had  followed  so  closely  as  to  know  him) 
enquired,  whether  he  had  escaped  unhurt. 
Captain  Putnam  instantly  recognizing  the 
voice,  dropped  his  weapon :  and  both,  spring- 
ing from  the  pit,  made  good  their  retreat  to 
the  neighbouring  ledges,  amidst  a  shower  of 
random  shot.  There  they  betook  themselves 
to  a  large  log,  by  the  side  of  which  they  lodg- 
ed the  remamder  of  the  night.  Before  they 
lay  down.  Captain  Putnam  said  he  had  a  little 
rum  in  his  canteen,  which  could  never  be  more 
acceptable  or  necessary ;  but  on  examining  the 
canteen,  which  hung  under  his  arm,  he  found 
the  enemy  had  pierced  it  with  their  balls,  and 
that  there  was  not  a  drop  of  liquor  left.  The 
next  day  he  found  fourteen  bullet  holes  in  his 
blanket. 

In  the  same  summer  a  body  of  the  enemy, 
consisting  of  600  men,  attacked  the  baggage 
and  provision  waggons  at  a  place  called  the 
half-way-brook ;  it  being  equi-distant  from 
Fort  Edward,  and  the  south  end  of  Lake 
George.  Having  killed  the  oxen  and  plun- 
dered the  waggons,  they  retreated  with  their 
booty  without  having  met  with  such  resistance 


LIFE   OF   GENEftAL   I>UTl^AM. 


.1 


I 


I 


as  might  have  been  expected  from  the  strength 
t)f  the  escort.  General  Webb,  upon  receivmg 
intelligence  of  this  disaster,  ordered  the  Cap- 
tains Putnam  and  Rogers  "to  take  100  vol- 
"  unteers  in  boats,  with  two  wall-pieces  and 
'*  two  blunderbussea,  and  to  proceed  down 
"  Lake  George  to  a  certain  point :  there  to 
"  leave  the  batteaux  under  a  proper  guard, 
*'  and  thence  to  cross  by  land,  so  as  to  harrassj 
"  and,  if  practicable,  intercept  the  retreating 
~  **  enemy  at  the  narrows."  These  orders  were 
executed  with  so  much  punctuality,  that  the 
party  arrived  at  the  destined  place  half  an 
hour  before  the  hostile  boats  came  in  view. 
Here  they  waited,  under  cover,  until  the  ene- 
my (ignorant  of  these  proceedings)  entered 
the  narrows  with  their  batteaux  loaded  with 
plunder  Then  the  volunteers  poured  upoi^ 
them  volley  after  volley,  killed  many  of  the 
oarsmen,  sunk  a  number  of  their  batteaux,  and 
would  soon  have  destroyed  the  whole  body  of 
the  enemy,  had  not  the  unusual  precipitancy 
of  their  passage  (favoured  by  tlie  wind)  car- 
ried them  through  the  narrows  into  the  wide 
part  of  South  Bay,  where  they  were  out  of  the 
reach  of  musket-shot.  The  shattered  rem- 
nant of  the  little  fleet  soon  arrived  at  Ticou- 
deroga,  and  gave  information  that  Putnam  and 
Rogers  were  at  the  narrows.  A  fresh  party 
was  instantly  detached  to  cut  them  in  pieces, 
on  their  return  to  Fort-Edward.  Our  parli- 
zans,  sensible  of  the  probability  of  such  an  at- 
tempt, and  being  full  twenty  miles  from  their 


^r:- 


XIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 

boats,  Strained  evey  nerve  to  reach  them  as 
soon  as  possible;  which  they  effected  the  same 
night.  Next  day,  when  they  bad  returned  as 
far  as  Sabbath-Day  point,  they  discovered,  o^ 
shore,  the  beforementioned  detachment  of  300 
men,  who  had  passed  them  in  the  night,  and 
who  now,  on  perceiving  our  party,  took  to 
their  boats  witn  the  greatest  alacrity,  and 
rowed  out  to  give  battle.  They  advanced  in 
line,  maintaining  a  good  mein,  and  felicitating 
themselves  upon  the  prospect  of  an  easy  con^ 
quest,  from  tne  great  superiority  of  their  num-* 
bers.  Flushed  with  these  expectations,  they 
v/ere  permitted  to  come  within  pistol-shot  be- 
fore a  gun  was  fired.  At  once,  the  wall-pie- 
ces and  blunderbusses,  which  had  been  brought 
to  rake  them  in  the  most  vulnerable  point, 
were  discharged.  As  no  such  reception  had 
been  foreseen,  the  assailants  were  thrown  into 
the  utmost  disorder.  Their  terror  and  confu- 
sion were  greatly  increased  by  a  well-directed 
and  most  destructive  fire  of  the  small  arms. 
The  larger  pieces  being  reloaded,  without  an- 
noyance, continued  alternately  with  the  mus-* 
quetry  to  make  dreadful  havoc,  until  the  rout 
was  completed  and  the  enemy  driven  back  to 
Ticonderoga.  In  this  action,  one  of  the  bark 
canoes  contained  twenty  Indians,  of  whom  fif- 
teen were  killed.  Great  numbers,  from  other 
boats,  both  of  French  and  Indians,  were  seen 
to  fall  overboard :  but  the  account  of  their  to- 
tal loss  could  never  be  ascertained.  Rogers 
and  Putnam  had  but  one  man  killed,  and  two 


32 


LlFfi   OF    GENERAL    PUTNAM. 


■\^*^^  • 


^'' 


i  I 


slightly  wounded.  They  now  landed  on  the 
point,  and  having  refresned  their  men  at  leis- 
ure, returned  in  good  order  to  the  British 
camp. 

Soon  after  these  rencounters,  as  ingular  kind 
of  race  was  run  by  our  nimble-footed  Provin- 
cial and  an  active  young  Frenchman.  The 
liberty  of  each  was  by  turns  at  stake.  Gen- 
eral Webb,  wanting  a  prisoner  for  the  sake 
of  intelligence,  sent-  Capt.  Putnam  with  dye 
men  to  procure  one.  The  Captain  concealed 
himself  near  the  road  which  leads  from  Ticon- 
deroga  to  the  Ovens.  His  men  seemed  fond 
of  shewing  themselves,  which  unsoldierlike 
conduct  he  prohibited  with  the  severest  repre- 
hension. This  rebuke  they  imputed  to  unne- 
cessary fear.  The  observation  is  as  true  as 
vulgar,  that  persons  distinguishable  for  temer- 
ity, when  there  is  no  apparent  danger,  are 
generally  poltroons  whenever  danger  ap- 
proaches. They  had  not  lain  ^ong,  in  the 
nigh  grass,  before  a  Frenchman  and  an  Indian 
passed — the  Indian  was  considerably  in  ad^ 
vance.  As  soon  as  the  former  had  gone  by, 
Putnam,  relying  on  the  fidelity  of  his  men, 
sprang  up,  ran,  and  ordered  them  to  follow. 
After  running  about  thirty  rods,  he  seized  the 
Frenchman  by  the  shoulders,  and  forced  him  to 
surrender:    6ut  his  prisoner,  looking  round, 

f perceiving  no  other  enemy,  and  knowing  the 
ndian  would  be  ready  in  a  moment  to  assist 
him,  began  to  make  an  obstinate  resistance. 
Putnam,  finding  himself  betrayed  by  his  men 


^y-;  f'j^  '"■;'"«y.^v*-'/^.    "  "'•;"  ^■\'y  i     '  ■"'.■".  %  '-  '';j.^f^'t'i,'''-''^^^'''l'-'t'^'r'y,- 


,  •T^,:~'  vvi-- 


LirE   or  GENERAL   PUTNAM.  $$ 

into  a  perilous  dilemma,  let  go  his  hold,  &  ^ 
ped  back  and  snapped  his  piece,  which  was 
levelled  at  the  Frenchman's  breast.  It  missed 
fire.  Upon  this  he  thought  it  most  prudent 
to  retreat.  The  Frenchman,  in  turn,  chased 
him  back  to  his  men,  who,  at  last,  raised  them* 
selves  from  the  grass ;  which  his  pursuer  es« 
pjing  in  good  time  for  himself,  made  his  es- 
cape. Putnam,  mortified  that  these  men  had 
frustrated  his  success,  dismissed  them  with 
disgrace ;  and  not  long  after  accomplished 
his  object.  Such  little  feats,  as  the  capture  of 
a  single  prisoner,  may  be  of  infinitely  more 
consequence  than  some,  who  are  unacquainted 
with  military  affairs,  would  be  apt  to  imagine* 
In  a  country  covered  with  woods,  like  that 

Eart  of  America,  then  the  seat  of  war,  the  dif- 
cuUy  of  procuring,  and  the  importance  of  pos- 
sessing good  intelhgence,  can  scarcely  be  con- 
ceived even  by  European  commandero.  They, 
however,  who  know  its  value,  will  not  appre- 
ciate lightly  the  services  of  an  able  partizan. 

Nothmg  worthy  of  remark  happened  dur- 
ing this  campaign,  except  the  loss  of  Oswego. 
That  fort,  which  had  oeen  built  by  General 
Shirley,  to  protect  the  peltry  trade,  cover  the 
country  on  the  Mohawk-River,  and  facilitate 
an  invasion  of  Canada,  by  Frontenac  and  Ni- 
agara, fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  with  a 
garrison  of  sixteen  hundred  men,  and  one  hun- 
dred pieces  of  cannon. 

The  active  services  of  Captain  Putnam  on 
every  occasion  attracted  the  admiration  of  the 

4 


:'M;    il 


■■■irmrf 


31 


LIFE    OF   GENERAL    PUTNAM. 


/If 


'i. 


If 
1*1' 


i 


V  r 


public,  and  induced  the  Legislature  of  Con- 
necticut to  promote  him  to  a  majority  in  1757. 
Lord  Loudon  was  then  Commander  in  Chief 
of  the  British  forces  in  America.     The  expedi- 
tion against  Crown-Point,  which  from  the  com- 
mencement of  hostilities  had  been  in  contem- 
plation, seemed  to  give  place  to  a  more  impor- 
tant  operation    that   was   meditated   a^inst 
Louisbourg.     But  the  arrival   of  the   Brest 
Squadron  at  that  place  prevented  the  attempt; 
and   the  loss   of  Fort  William  Henry  served 
to  class  this  with  the  two  former  unsuccessful 
campaigns.     It  was   rumoured,  and  partially 
creclited  at  the  time,  that  General  Webb,  who 
commanded  in  the  northern  department,  had 
early  intimation  of  the  movement  of  the  French 
army,  and  might  have  effectually  succoured  the 
garrison.     The  subsequent  facts  will  place  the 
affair  in  its  proper  light. 
^-' A  few  days  before  the  seige.  Major  Putnam, 
with   two   hundred   men,    escorted   General 
Webb  from  Fort  Edward  to  Fort  William 
Henry.     The  object  was  to  examine  the  state 
of  this  fortificiption,  which  stood  at  the  south- 
ern extremity  of  Lake  George.     Several  abor- 
tive attempts  having   been   made   by  Major 
Rogers  and  others  in  the  night  season.  Major 
Putnam  proposed  to  go  down  the  lake  in  open 
day-light,  land  at  Northwest-Bay,  and  tarry  on 
shore  until  he  could  make  satisfactory  discove- 
ry of  the  enemy's  actual  situation  at  Ticondero- 
ga  and  the  adjacent  posts.     The  plan  (which 
he  suggested)  of  landing  with  only  five  mea, 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


S5 


of  Con- 
in  1757. 
r  in  Chief 
e  expedi- 
the  com- 
I  contem- 
rtj  im][)or- 
1   against 
he    Brest 
I  attempt; 
ry  served 
successful 
1  partially 
lehh,  who 
ment,  had 
he  French 
coured  the 
1  place  the 

>r  Putnam, 
1   General 
•t  William 
e  the  state 
the  south- 
?eral  abor- 
by  Major 
son.  Major 
ke  in  open 
id  tarry  on 
ry  discove- 
ricondero- 
lan  (which 
y  five  men., 


i 


and  sending  back  the  boats,  to  prevent  detec- 
tion,was  deemed  too  hazardous  by  the  General.  . 
At  length,  however,  he  was  permitted  to  pro- 
ceed with  eighteen  volunteers  in  three  wnale 
boats ;  but  before  he  arrived  at  Northwest-Bay  > 
he  discovered  a  body  of  men  on  an  island.  . 
Immediately  upon  this,  he  left  two  boats  to 
fish  at  a  distance,  that  they  might  not  occasion 
an  alarm,  and  returned  himself  with  the  infor- 
mation. The  General,  seeing  him  rowing 
back  with  great  velocity,  in  a  single  boat,  con-* 
eluded  the  others  were  captured,  and  sent  ^ 
skifr,with  orders  for  him  alone  to  come  on  shore.  % 
After  advising  the  General  of  the  circumstano 
es,  he  urged  the  expediency  of  returning  to 
make  further  discoveries,  and  bring  off  the 
boats.  Leave  was  reluctantly  mven.  He 
found  his  people,  and,  passing  stul  onward, 
discovered  (by  the  aid  of  a  good  perspective 
glass)  a  large  army  in  motion.  By  this  time 
several  of  the  advanced  caj^es  had  nearly  sur- 
rounded himy  but  by  the  softness  of  his  whale- 
boats,  he  escaped  through  the  midst  of  them. 
On  his  return  he  informed  the  General  min- 
utelv  of  all  he  had  seen,  and  intimated  his  con- 
viction that  the  expedition  must  obviously  be 
destined  against  Fort  William  Henry.  That 
commander,  strictly  enjoining  silence  on  the 
subject,  directed  him  to  put  his  men  under  an 
oath  of  secrecy,  and  to  prepare,  without  loss  of 
time,  to  return  to  the  Head  Quarters  of  the 
army.  Major  Putnam  observed,  "  he  hoped 
^^  his  Excellency  did  not  intend  to  neglect  ao 


36 


LIFS   OF   GEHBRAL    PUTITAll. 


f 


' 


*'/air  an  opportunity  of  giving  battle,  should 
M  the  anemj  presume  to  land.'"  *^What  do  you 
^<  think  we  should  do  here?''  replied  the  Gen- 
eraL  Accordinglj  the  next  day  he  returned, 
and  the  daj  after  Colonel  Monro  was  ordered 
from  Fort  Edward,  with  his  regiment,  to  rein- 
force the  garrisor^.  That  officer  took  with 
him  all  hii  rich  baggage  and  camp  equipage, 
Botwithstanding  Major  Putnam's  advice  to  the 
contrary.  The  day  following  his  arrival,  the 
aoamy  landed  and  besieged  the  place. 

The  Marquis  de  Montcalm,  Commander 
in  Chief  for  the  French  in  Canada  (intend- 
ing to  take  advantage  of  the  absence  of  a 
large  proportion  of  the  British  force,  which  he 
understood  to  be  employed  under  Lord  Lou- 
don against  Louisbourg)  had  assembled  what- 
ever men  could  be  spared  from  Ticonderoga, 
Crown-Point,  and  the  other  garrisons :  with 
these  he  had  combined  a  consioerable  corps  of 
Canadians,  and  a  ^ger  body  of  Indians  than 
had  ever  before  been  collected ;  making  in  the 
whole  an  army  of  nearly  eight  thousand  men. 
Our  garrison  consisted  of  twenty-five  hundred, 
and  was  commanded  by  Colonel  Monro,  a  very 
gallant  officer,  who  found  the  means  of  sencf- 
ing  express  after  express  to  General  Webb, 
with  an  account  of  his  situation,  and  the  most 
pressing  solicitation  for  succour.  In  the  mean 
time,  the  army  at  Fort  Edward,  which,  origin- 
ally amounted  to  about  four  thousand,  had 
bet>n  considerably  augmented  by  Johnson's 
troops  and  the  militia.  On  the  8tn  or  9th  day 
after   the  landing  of  the   French,  General 


* 


LIFE  OP  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


37 


Johnson  (mi  consequence  of  repeated  applica- 
tions) was  suflfered  to  march  for  the  rehef  of 
the  garrison,  with  all  the  Provincials,  Militia, 
and  Putnam's  Rangers :  but  before  they  had 
proceeded  three  miles,  the  order  was  counter- 
manded, and  they  returned.  M.  de  Montcalm 
informed  Major  Putnam,  when  a  prisoner  in 
Canada,  that  one  of  his  running  Indians  saw 
and  reported  this  movement;  and,  upon  being 
questioned  relatively  to  the  numbers,  answer- 
ed in  their  figurative  style,  ^^  If  you  can  count 
the  leaves  on  the  trees ^  you  can  count  themJ*^  In 
efrect,the  operations  of  the  siege  were  suspend- 
ed, and  preparations  made  for  re-embarking, 
when  another  of  the  runners  reported  that  the 
detachment  had  gone  back.  The  Marquis  de 
Montcalm,  provided  with  a  good  train  of  artil- 
lery, meeting  with  no  annoyance  from  the 
British  army,  and  but  inconsfderable  interrup- 
tion from  the  garrison,  accelerated  his  ap- 
proaches so  rapidly,  as  to  obtain  possession  of 
the  fort  in  a  short  time  after  completing  the 
investiture.  An  intercepted  letter  from  Gene- 
ral Webb,  advising  the  surrender,was  sent  into 
the  fort  to  Colonel  Monro  by  the  French 
General. 

The  garrison  engaged  got  to  serve  for  eigh- 
teen months,  and  were  permitted  to  march  out 
with  the  honours  of  war.  But  the  savages 
regarded  not  the  capitulation,  nor  could  they 
be  restrained  by  the  utmost  exertion  of  the 
Commanding  Officer,  froi»  committing  the 
most  outrageous  acts  of  cruelty.     They  strip- 


i  i 


'M 


ri  9 

i 


r 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 

ped  and  plundered  all  the  prisoners,  and  mur* 
dered  great  numbers  in  cold  blood.  Those 
who  escaped  bj  flight,  or  the  protection  of  the 
French,  arrived  in  a  forlorn  condition  at  Fort 
£dward :  Among  these  was  the  commandant 
of  the  garrison. 

The  day  succeeding  this  deplorable  scene 
of  carnage  and  barbarity.  Major  Putnam  hay- 
ing been  dispatched  with  his  Rangers,  to  watch 
the  motions  of  the  enemy,  came  to  the  shore, 
when  their  rear  was  scarcely  beyond  tho  reach 
of  musket-shot.  They  had  carried  off  all  the 
cannon,  stores  and  water-craft.  The  fort 
was  demolished.  The  barracks,  the  out-hous- 
es and  suttlers'  booths  were  heaps  of  ruins. 
The  fires,  not  yet  extinct,  and  the  smoke,  of- 
fensive from  the  mucilaginous  nature  of  the 
fuel,  but  illy  concealed  innumerable  fragments 
of  human  skuUs  and  bones,  and,  in  some  in- 
stances, carcases  half-consumed.  Dead  bodies, 
weltering  in  blood,  were  every  where  to  be 
seen,  violated,  with  all  the  wanton  mutilations 
of  savage  ingenuity.  More  than  one  hundred 
women,  some  with  their  brains  still  oozing 
from  the  battered  lieads,  others  with  their 
whole  hair  wrenched  collectively  with  the  skin 
from  the  bloody  skulls,  and  many  (with  their 
throats  cut)  most  inhumanly  stabbed  and 
butchered,  lay  stripped  entirely  naked,  with 
their  bowels  torn  out,  and  afforded  a  spectacle 
too  horrible  for  description.     '  '     > 

Not  long  after  iliis  misfortune,  General  Ly- 
man succeeded  to  the  command  of  Fort  Ed- 


-^  J*,* ..     _..*_  I 


'(■*-=■ 


^-. 


LIFE  OF  GENZRAL  PUTNAM. 


39 


and  mur- 
.  Those 
ion  of  the 
n  at  Fort 
amaiidant 

ible  scene 
tnam  hav- 
>,  to  watch 
the  shore, 
the  reach 
off  all  the 
The  fort 
I  out-hous- 
3  of  ruins, 
smoke,  of- 
jre  of  the 
fragments 
1  some  in« 
3ad  bodies, 
lere  to  be 
nutilations 
le  hundred 
till  oozing 
with   their 
th  the  skin 
^with  their 
tbbed    and 
Btked,  with 
a  spectacle 

eneral  Ly- 
Fort  Ed- 


ward. He  resolved  to  strengthen  it.  For 
this  purpose  one  hundred  and  fiftj  men  were 
employed  in  cutting  timber.  To  cover  them, 
Captain  Little  was  posted  (with  fiftj  British 
Regulars)  at  the  head  of  a  thick  swamp  about 
one  hundred  rods  eastward  of  the  tort — to 
which  his  communication  lay  over  a  tongue  of 
land,  formed  on  the  one  side  bj  the  swamp, 
and  by  a  creek  on  the  other. 

One  morning,  at  day  b'^eak,  a  centinel  saw 
indistinctly  several  birds,  as  he  conceived, 
come  from  the  swamp  and  fly  over  him  with 
incredible  swiftness.  While  he  was  ruminat- 
ing on  these  wonderful  birds,  and  endeavouring 
to  form  some  idea  of  their  colour,  shape  and 
size,  an  arrow  buried  itself  in  the  limb  of  a  tree 
just  above  his  head.  He  now  discovered  the 
quality  and  design  of  these  winged  messengers 
of  fate,  and  gave  the  alarm.  Instantly  the 
working  party  began  to  retreat  along  the  de- 
file. A  large  booy  of  savages  had  concealed 
themselves  in  the  morass  before  the  guard  was 
posted,  and  were  attempting  in  this  way  tokill 
the  centinel  without  noise,witn  design  to  surprise 
the  whole  party.  Finding  the  alarm  given^ 
they  rushed  from  the  covert,  shot  and  toma- 
hawked those  who  were  nearest  at  hand,  and 
pressed  hard  on  the  remainder  of  the  unarmed 
ijgitives.  Captain  Little  flew  to  their  relief, 
and,  by  pouring  on  the  Indians  a  well  timed  fire, 
checked  the  pursuit,  and  enabled  such  of  th« 
fatigue-men  as  did  not  fall  inWie  first  onset,  to 
retire  im  the  fort.     Thitliier  he  sent  for  assist- 


.W" 


\\ 


'■^i  '       ''^'      '"■ 


40 


l^IFE    OF   GENERAL    PUTNAl^t. 


ance,  his  little  party  being  alraostwerpower- 
ed  by  numbers.  But  the  commanaant,  imag- 
ining that  the  main  body  of  the  enemy  were 
approaching  for  a  general  assault,  called  in 
his  out-posts  and  shut  the  gates.      '■       -• 

*  Major  Putnam  lay,  with  his  Rangers,  on  an 
island  adjacent  to  the  fort.  Havu)g  heard 
the  musquetry,  and  learned  that  his  friend 
Captain  Little  was  in  the  utmost  peril,  he 
plunged  into  the  river  at  the  head  of  his  corps, 
and  waded  through  the  water  towards  the 
place  of  engagement.  This  brought  him  so 
near  to  the  fort,  that  General  Lyman  apprized 
of  his  design,  and  unwilling  that  the  lives  of  a 
few  more  brave  men  should  be  exposed  to 
what  he  deemed  inevitable  destruction,  mount- 
ed the  parapet  and  ordered  him  to  proceed  no 
further.  The  major  only  took  time  to  make 
the  best  short  apology  be  could,  and  marched 
on.  This  is  the  only  instance  in  the  whole 
course  of  his  military  service  wherein  he  did 
not  pay  the  strictest  obedience  to  orders ;  and 
in  this  instance  his  motive  was  highly  commen- 
dable. But  when  such  conduct,  even  if  sanc- 
tifi^  by  success,  is  passed  over  with  impunity, 
it  demonstrates  that  all  is  not  right  in  the 
military  system.  In  a  disciplined  army,  such 
as  that  ot  the  United  States  became  under 
Goneral  Washington,  an  officer  guilty  of  a 
slighter  violation  of  orders,  however  elevated 
in  rank  or  meritorious  in  service,  would  have 
been  brought  bAre  the  bar  of  a  Court  Mar- 
tial.   Were  it  not  for  the  seductiye  tendency 


'  ■/"■''Ii^P^'~'7'"?'r-   ■'""**-,! 


;rs,  on  an 


LIFE   OF   GENERAL   FUTlTAlf. 


41 


of  a  brave  man's  example,  I  might  have  been 
spared  the  mortification  of  making  these  re- 
marks on  the  conduct  of  an  officer,  whose  dis- 
tinguishing characteristics  were  promptitude 
for  duty  and  love  of  subordination,  as  well  as 
cheerfulness  to  encounter  every  species  of  dif- 
ficulty and  danger. 

:h^  The  Rangers  of  Putnam  soon  opened  their 
way  for  a  junction  with  the  little  handful  of 
Regulars,  who  still  obstin^^^ely  maintained  their 
ground.  By  his  advice  the  whole  rushed  im- 
petuously with  shouts  end  huzzas  into  the 
swamp.  The  savages  fied  on  every  side,  and 
were  chased,  with  no  inconsiderable  loss  on 
their  part,  as  long  aQ  the  day-light  lasted.  On 
obrs  only  one  man  was  killed  in  the  pursuit. 
His  death  was  immediately  revenged  by  that 
of  the  Indian  who  shot  him.  This  Indian  was 
one  of  the  runners — a  chosen  body  of  active 
young  men,  who  are  made  use  of  uot  only  to 
procure  intelligence  and  convey  tidings,  but  al- 
so to  guard  the  rear  on  a  retreat.  .  "^ 
Here  !t  will  not^be  unseasonable  to  mention 
some  of  the  customs  in  war  peculiar  to  the 
aborigines,  which  on  the  present  as^  well  as 
othei'  occasions,  they  put  in  practice.  When- 
ever a  retreating,  especially  a  flying  party  had 
gained  the  summit  of  a  rising  ground,  they 
faecreted  one  or  two  runners  behind  trees, 
copses,  or  bushes  to  fire  at  the  enemy  upon 
their  ascending  the  hill.  This  commonly  ac- 
casioned  the  enemy  to  halt  ai|d  form  for  battle. 
In  the  interim  the  runners  used  such  dexterity 


^. 


:';M-':-T:i*V'.iW'-;'':^ 


*  -T^-SV   '  -  ^»,-T'   (3-.^^         -^   J^^ 


•^-i- 
%■ 


■     \\. 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


as  to  be  rarely  discovered,  or  if  discovered, 
they  vanished  behind  the  height  and  rejoined 
their  brother  warriors,  who,  having  thus  stol- 
en a  distance,  were  oftentimes  seen  by  their 
pursuers  no  more.  Or  if  the  pursuers  were 
too  eager  they  seldom  failed  to  atone  for  their 
rashness  by  falling  into  an  ambuscade.  The 
Mohawks,  who  were  afterwards  much  employ- 
ed in  scouts  under  the  orders  of  Major  Putnam, 
and  who  were  perfeptly  versed  in  all  the  wiles 
and  stratagems  of  their  countrymen,  shewed 
him  the  mode  of  avoiding  the  evils  of  either 
alternative.  In  suspicious  thickets,  and  at  the 
borders  of  every  considerable  eminence,  a  mo- 
mentary pause  was  made,  while  they,  in  differ- 
ent parts,  penetrated  or  ascended  with  a  cau- 
tiousness tnat  cannot  be  easily  described. 
They  seemed  all  eye  and  ear.  When  they 
found  no  lurking  mischief!^  they  would  beckon 


with  the  hand,  and  pronounce  the  word 
"OwisH,"  withalong  labial  hissing,  the  O  being 
almost  quiescent.     This  was  ever  the  watch- 


word for  the  main  body  to^dvance. 

Indians  who  went  to  war  together,  and 
who,  for  any  reason  found  it  necessary  to 
separate  into  different  routes,  always  left  two 
or  three  runners  at  the  place  oi  separation,  to 
give  timely  notice  to  cither  party  in  case  of 

pursuit.  ..>..   .;.     .:  ,    ■■y.:^.y:^i,  ..^^,     . 

If  a  warrior '  chanced  to  stragsle  and  lose 
himself  in  the  woods,  or  be  retarded  by  acci- 
dent or  wound,  the  party  missing  him  would 
frequently,  on   their  march,  break  down   a 


■^ 


^_  ^ivtj.u,/-: 


"T^VKsr^fff^f'-B 


LIFE   OP   GENERAL   PUTNAM. 


43 


bush  or  a  shrub,  and  leave  the  top  pointing  in 
the  direction  they  had  gone,  that  the  straggler, 
when  he  should  behold  it,  might  shape  his 
course  accordingly.  *  >^  .-  i  iw^^  v^^w  r^ 
We  come  to  the  campaign  when  General 
Abercrombie  took  the  command  at  Fort  Ed- 
ward. That  General  ordered  Major  Putnam, 
with  sixty  men,  to  proceed  by  land  to  South- 
Bay,  on  Lake  George,  for  the  purpose  of 
making  discoveries,  and  intercepting  the  ene- 
my's parties.  The  latter,  in  comphance  with 
these  orders,  posted  himself  at  Wood-Creek, 
near  its  entrance  into  South-Bav.  On  this 
bank,  which  forms  a  jutting  precipice  ten  or 
twelve  feet  above  the  water,  he  erected  a 
stone  parapet  thirty  feet  in  length,  and  mask- 
ed it  with  young  pme-trees,  cut  at  a  distance, 
and  so  artf*  Ily  planted  as  to  imitate  the  natu- 
ral growth.  From  hence  he  sent  back  fifteen 
of  his  men,  who  had  fallen  >ick.  Distress  for 
want  of  provisions,  occasioned  by  the  length 
of  march,  and  time  spent  on  this  temporary 
fortification,  compellea  him  to  deviate  from  a 
rule  he  had  established,  never  to  permit  a  gun 
to  be  fired  but  at  an  enemy  while  on  a  scout. 
He  was  novv  obliged  himself  to  shoot  a  buck, 
which  had  jumped  into  the  creek,  in  order  to 
eke  out  their  scanty  subsistence  until  the  fourth 
day  after  the  completion  of  the  works.  About 
ten  o'clock  that  evening,  one  of  the  men  on 
duty  at  the  margin  of  the  bay,  informed  him 
that  a  fleet  of  bark  canoes,  filled  with  men, 
was  steering  towards  the  .nouth  of  the  creek. 


':^--. 


^ 


^'t^' 


■^ 


44 


LllW 


.^M- 


GENERAL   PUTKAM* 


'f 


M 


:f 


I    i 


I 


•       Jl!.' 


f'       '. 


He  immediavtelj  called  in  all  his  centinels,  and 
ordered  every  man  to  his  post.  A  profound 
stillness  reigned  in  the  atmosphere^  and  the 
full  moon  shone  with  uncommon  brightness. 
The  creek,  which  the  enemy  entered,  is  about 
six  rods  wide^  and  the  bank  opposite  to  the 
parapet  above  twenty  feet  high.  It  was  in* 
tended  to  permit  the  canoes  in  front  to  pass— 
they  had  accordingly  just  passed,  when  a  sol- 
dier accidentally  struck  his  firelock  against  a 
stone.  The  commanding  officer  in  the  van 
canoe  iieard  the  noise,  and  repeated  several 
times  the  savage  watch-word, — Owish!  In- 
stantly the  canoei:  huddled  together,  with  their 
centre  precisely  in  front  of  the  works,  cover- 
ing the  creek  for  a  considerable  distance  above 
and  below.  The  officers  appearj^d  to  be  in 
deep  consultation,  and  the  fleet  op  the  point  of 
returning,  when  Major  Putnam,  who  had  or- 
dered his  men  in  the  most  peremptory  manner 
not  to  fire  until  he  should  set  the  example, 

five  the  signal,  by  discharging  his  ^iece. 
hey  fired.  Nothing  could  exceed  the  inex- 
tricable confusion  and  apparent  consternation 
occasioned  by  this  well-concerted  attack.  But, 
at  last,  the  enemy  finding,  from  the  unfrequen- 
cy  fthougu  there  was  no  absolute  intermission) 
in  tne  firmg,  that  the  number  of  our  men  must 
be  small,  resolved  to  land  below  and  surround 
them.  Putnam^  apprehensive  of  this  from  the 
movement,  sent  Lieutenant  Robert  Durkee,* 

'  *  As  the  name  of  the  brave  Durkee  will  occur  no  more  in  these 
ilieettf  I  uaj  be  indulged  in  aaeationing  hi»  melanohoijr  fiite.   He 


M 


'■^^fc 


LIFE    OP   GENERAL    PUJNAM. 


45 


with  twelve  men,  about  thirty,  rods  down  the 
creek,  who  arrived  in  titoe  to  repulse  the  party 
which  attempted  to  land.  Another  small  de- 
tachment, under  Lieutenant  Parsons,  was  or- 
dered up  the  creek  to  prevent  any  similar  at- 
tempt. In  the  mean  t'*'  ^e  Major  rutnam  kept 
up,  throusjh  the  whole  night,  an  incessant  and 
deadly  fire  on  the  main  body  of  the  enemy, 
without  receiving  any  thing  in  return  but  shot 
void  of  effect,  accompanied  with  dolorous 
groans,  miserable  shrieks,  and  dismal  savage 
yells.  After  day-break  he  was  advised  that 
one  part  of  the  enemy  had  effected  a  landing 
consK^erably  below,  and  were  rapidly  advanc- 
ing to  cut  off  his  retreat.  Apprised  of  the 
great  superiority  still  opposed  to  him,  as  well 
as  of  the  situation  of  his  own  soldiers,  some  of 
whom  were  entirely  destitute  of  ammunition, 
and  the  rest  reduced  to  one  or  two  rounds  per 
man,  he  commanded  them  to  swing  their 
packs.  By  hastening  the  retreat,  in  good  or- 
der, they  had  just  time  to  retire  far  enough  up 
the  creek  to  prevent  being  enclosed.  During 
this  long-continued  action,  in  which  the  Amer- 
icans had  slain  at  least  five  ti^es  their  own 
number,  only  one  Provincial  and  one  Indian 
were  wounded  on  their  side.  These  unfortu- 
nate men  had  been  sent  off  for  camp  in  the 

\        *  '        '■ 

survivecl  this  war,  and  was  appointed  a  Captain  in  that  war  which 
terminated  in  the  aclcnowledgment  ofviui*  Itidcpendeoce'  In  1778 
he  was  wounded  and  taken  prisoner  b^  the  saragcs  at  the  battle  of 
Wioming;,  on  the  Susquehaunah.  Havine:  heen  condemned  to  be 
burnt,  the  Indians  kept  him  in  ihc  flames  with  pit«b'<6)t*lLs»  until 
he  expired  in  the  most  excruciating;  torments. 

5 


^-■; 


M' 


46 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM* 


i 


night,  with  two  men  to  assist  them,  and  di» 
lections  to  proceed  by  Wood-Creek  as  the 
safest,  though  not  the  shortest  route.  But 
having  taken  a  nearer  way,  thej  were  pursu- 
ed and  overtaken  bj  the  Indians,  who,  from 
the  blood  on  the  leaves  and  bushes,  believed 
that  they  were  on  the  trail  of  our  whole  par- 
ty. The  wounded,  despairing  of  mercy,  and 
unable  to  fly,  insisted  that  the  well  soldiers 
should  make  their  escape,  which,  on  a  mo- 
ment's deliberation,  they  effected.  The  Pro- 
vincial, whose  thigh  was  broken  by  a  ball,  up- 
on the  approach  of  the  savages,  fired  his 
piece,  and  killed  three  of  them ;  after  which 
he  was  quickly  hacked  in  pieces.  The  Indian, 
however,  was  saved  alive.  This  man  Major 
Putnam  saw  afterwards  in  Canada,  where  he 
likewise  learned  that  his  enemy,  in  the  ren- 
counter at  Wood-Creek,  consisted  of  five  hun- 
dred French  and  Indians,  under  the  command 
of  the  celebrated  partizan  Molang,  and  that 
no  party,  since  the  war,  had  suffered  so  se- 
verely, as  more  than  one-half  of  those  who 
went  out  never  returned. 

Our  brave  little  company,  reduced  to  forty 
in  number,  had  proceeded  along  the  bank  of 
the  creek  about  an  hour's  march,  when  Major 
Putnam,  being  in  front,  was  fired  upon  by  a 
party  just  at  hand.  He,  right]^  appreciating 
the  advantage  often  obtained  by  assuming  a 
bold  countenance  on  a  critical  occasion,  in  a 
fttentorophonick  tone,  ordered  his  men  to  rush 
on  the  enemy,  and  promised  that  they  shoulc 


Lir£  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


47 


soon  give  a  good  account  of  them.  It  proved 
to  be  a  Bcout  of  Provincials,  who  conceived 
they  were  firing  upon  the  French ;  but  the 
commanding  omcer,  knowing  Putnam's  voice, 
cried  out,  "  that  they  were  all  friends." — ^Upon 
this  the  Major  told  him  abruptly,  "that, 
friends  or  enemies,  they  all  deserved  to  be 
hanged  for  not  killing  more  when  they  had 
so  fair  a  shot."  In  fact,  but  one  man  was 
mortally  wounded.  While  these  things  were 
transacted,  a  faithful  soldier,  whose  ammuni'^ 
tion  had  been  nearly  exhausted,  made  his  vraj 
to  the  fort,  and  gave  such  information,  that 
General  Lyman  was  detached  with  five  hun« 
dred  men  to  cover  the  retreat.  Major  Put- 
nam met  them  at  only  twelve  miles  distance 
from  the  fort,  to  wnich  they  returned  the 
nt.xt  day. 

In  the  winter  of  1757,  when  Colonel  Havi- 
land  was  Commandant  at  Fort  Edward,  the 
barracks  adjoining  to  the  north-west  bastion 
took  fire.  They  extended  within  twelve  feet 
of  the  magazine,  which  contained  three  hun- 
dred barrels  of  powder.  On  its  first  discovery, 
the  fire  raged  with  great  violence.  The  Com- 
mandant endeavoured,  in  vain,  by  discharging 
some  pieces  of  heavy  artillery  against  the  sup- 
porters of  this  flight  of  barracks,  to  level  them 
with  the  ground.  Putnam  arrived  from  the 
island  where  he  was  stationed  at  the  moment 
when  the  blaze  approached  that  end  which 
was  contiguous  to  the  magazine.  Instantly  a 
vigorous  attempt  was  made  to  extinguish  the 


48 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


1 1 '  I 


conflagration.  A  way  was  opened  by  a  pos- 
tern gate  to  the  river,  and  the  soldiers  were 
employed  in  bringing  water ;  which  he,  hav- 
ing mounted  on  a  ladder  to  the  eves  of  the 
building,  received  and  threw  upon  the  ilame. 
It  continued,  notwithstanding  their  utmost  ef- 
forts, to  gain  upon  them.  He  stood,  enveloped 
in  smoke,  so  near  the  sheet  of  fire,  that  a  pair 
of  thick  blanket  mittens  were  burnt  entirely 
from  his  hands;  he  was  supplied  with  another 
pair  dipt  in  water.  Colonel  HavIIand,  fearing 
that  he  would  perish  in  the  flames,  called  to 
him  to  come  down.  But  he  entreated  that 
he  might  be  suflered  to  remain,  since  destruc- 
tion must  inevitably  ensue  if  their  exertions 
should  be  remitted.  The  gallant  Comman- 
dant, not  less  astonished  than  charmed  at  the 
boldness  of  his  conduct,  forbade  any  ^lore  ef- 
fects to  be  carried  out  of  the  fort,  animated 
the  men  to  redoubled  diligence,  and  exclaim- 
ed, "  if  we  must  be  blown  up,  we  will  go  all 
together."  At  last,  when  the  barracks  were 
seen  to  be  tumbling,  Putnam  descended,  plac- 
ed himself  at  the  interval,  and  continued  from 
un  incessant  rotation  of  replenished  buckets  to 
pour  water  upon  the  magazine.  The  outside 
planks  were  already  consumed  by  the  prox- 
imity of  the  fire,  and  as  only  one  thickness  of 
timber  intervened,  the  trepidation  now  became 
general  and  extreme.  Putnam,  still  undaunt- 
ed, covered  with  a  cloud  of  cinders^  and 
scorched  with  the  intensity  of  the  heat,  main- 
tained his  position  until  the  fire  subsided,  and 


Tirrr 


■••«  ■  ■^^•^•IH'. 


by  a  pos- 
iers  were 
h  he,  liav- 
ves  of  the 
the  flame, 
utmost  ef- 
enveloped 
that  a  pair 
it  entirely 
ith  another 
nd,  fearing 
s,  called  to 
reated  that 
ce  destruc- 
i'  exertions 
t  Comman- 
med  at  the 
ly  piore  ef- 
t,  animated 
\d  exclaim- 
will  go  all 
racks  were 
nded,  plac- 
inued  from 
buckets  to 
;^he  outside 
the  prox- 
hickness  of 
ow  became 
II  undaunt- 
aders,   and 
heat,  main- 
bsided,  and 


LIF£  OP  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


49 


the  danger  was  wholly  over.  He  had  con- 
tended for  one  hour  and  an  half  with  that 
terrible  element  His  legs,  his  thighs,  his 
arms,  and  his  face  were  blistered ;  and  when 
he  pulled  off  his  second  pair  of  mittens,  the 
skin  from  his  hands  and  fingers  followed 
them.  It  was  a  month  before  ho  recovered. 
The  Commandant,  to  whom  his  merits  had 
before  endeared  him,  could  not  stifle  the  emo- 
tions of  gratitude,  due  to  the  man  who  had 
been  so  instrumental  in  preserving  the  maga*^ 
zine,  the  fort,  and  the  garrison. 

The  repulse  before  Ticonderoga  took  plaee 
in  1758.  General  Abercrombie,  the  British 
Commander  in  Chief  in  America,  conducted 
the  expedition.  His  army,  which  amounted 
to  nearly  sixteen  thousand  Regulars  and  Pro-* 
vincials,  was  amply  supplied  with  artillery  and 
military  stores.  This  well-appointed  corps 
passed  over  Lake  George,  and  landed,  with- 
out opposition,  at  the  point  of  destination. 
The  troops  advanced  in  columns.  Lord  Howe, 
having  Major  Putnam  with  him,  was  in  front 
of  the  centre.  A  body  of  about  five  hundred 
men,  (the  advance  or  pickets  of  the  French 
army)  which  had  fled  at  first,  began  to  skir-  i 
mish  with  our  left.  ^'Putnam,"  said  Lord#' 
Howe,  "  what  means  that  firing  .^"  *'  I  know 
not,  but  with  your  Lordship's  leave  will  see,** 
replied  the  formef,  "  I  will  accompany  you,'* 
rejoined  the  gallant  young  nobleman.  In  vain 
did  Major  Putnam  attempt  to  dissuade  him  by 
5* 


■» 


'^W/ 


■fr. 


V 
LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM^ 


sayinff— "  My  Lord,  if  I  am  killed,  the  loss  ot 
my  life  will  be  of  little  consequence,  but  the 
preservation  of  your's  is  of  infinite  importance 
to  this  army."     The  only  answer  was^  "  Put- 
nam, your  life  is  as  dear  to  you  as  mine  is  to 
me  ;  1  am  determined  to  go."     One  hundred 
of  the  van,  under  Major  Putnam,  filed  off  with 
Lord  Howe.     They  soon  met  the  left  flank  of 
the  enemy 'fi  advance,  by  whose  'first  fire  his 
Lordship  fell. — It  was   a    loss  indeed;    and 
particularly  felt  in  the  operations  Which  oc- 
curred three  days  afterwards.     His  manners 
and  his  virtues  had  made  him  the  idol  of  the 
army.     From  his  first  arrival  in  America,  he 
had  accommodated  himself''*'  and  his  regiment 
to  the  peculiar  nature  of  the  service.     Exem- 
plary to  the  officer,  a  friend  of  the  soldier,  the 
model  of  discipline,  he  had  not  failed  to  en- 
counter every  hardship  and  hazard.     Nothing 
could  be  more  calculated  to  inspire  men  with 
the  rash  animation  of  rage,  or  to  temper  it 
with  the  cool  perseverance  of  revenge,  than 
the  sight  of  such  a  hero,  so  beloved,  fallen  in 
his  country'*;  cause.     It  had  the  effect.     Put- 
nam's  party,  having  cut  their  way  obliquely 
throuffn  the  enemy  s  ranks,  and  having  been 
joinadby  Captain  D'Ell,  with  twenty  men,  to- 
gether with  some  other  small  parties,  charged 
them  so  furioosly  in  rear,  that  nearly  three 

*  He  eut  his  hair  Bhort,  and  induced  the  regiment  to  follow  the 
example.  He  fashioned  their  cloathiiig  for  tke  activity  of  service, 
and  diveited  hioiKlf  and  them  of  evei^y  urtiole  of  superfluoui  bag- 
gige. 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


51 


hundred  were  killed  on  the  spot,  and   one 
hundred  and   forty-eight  made  prisoners.     '■• 

In  the  mean  time,  iVom  tlie  unskil fulness  of 
the  guides,  some  of  our  columns  were  bewil- 
dered. The  left  wing,  seeing  Putnam's  party 
in  their  front,  advancing  over  the  dead  bodies 
towards  them,  commenced  a  brisk  and  heavy 
(ire,  which  killed  a  serjeant  and  several  pri- 
vates. Nor  could  they,  by  sounds  or  signs, 
be  convinced  of  their  mistake,  until  Major 
Putnam,  preferring  (if  heaven  had  thus  or- 
dained it)  the  loss  of  his  own  life  to  the  loss 
of  the  lives  of  his  brave  associates,  ran  through 
the  midst  of  the  flying  balls,  and  prevented 
the  impending  catastrophe. 

The  tender  feelings  which  Major  Putnam 
possessed  taught  him  to  respect  an  unfortu- 
nate foe,  and  to  strive,  by  every  lenient  art  in 
his  power,  to  alleviate  the  miseries  of  war. 
For  this  purpose  he  remained  on  the  field 
until  it  began  to  giow  dark,  employed  in  col- 
lecting such  of  the  enemy  as  were  left  wound- 
ed, to  one  place  ;  he  gave  them  all  the  liquor 
and  little  refreshments  which  he  could  pro- 
cure; he  furnished  to  each  of  them  a  blanket; 
he  put  three  blankets  under  a  French  serjeant 
who  was  badly  wounded  through  the  body, 
and  placed  him  in  an  easy  posture  by  the  side 
of  a  tree :  the  poor  fellow  could  only  squeeze 
his  hand  with  an  expressive  grasp.  "Ah," 
said  Major  Putnam,  "depend  upon  it,  my 
brave  soldier,  you  shall  be  brought  to  the 


52 


#    >■ 


LIFE   OF   GENERAL   PUTNAM. 


camp  as  soon  as  possible,  and  the  same  care 
shall  be  taken  of  you  as  if  you  were  my  broth- 
er." The  next  morning  Major  Rogers  was 
sent  to  reconnoitre  the  field,  and  to  bring  off 
the  wounded  prisoners  ;  but  finding  the 
wounded  unable  to  help  themselves,  in  order 
to  save  trouble,  he  despatched  every  one  of 
them  to  the  world  of  spirits.  Putnam's  was 
not  the  only  heart  that  bled.  The  Provincial 
and  British  officers,  who  became  acquainted 
with  the  fact,  were  struck  with  inexpressible 
horror. 

Ticonderoga  is  surrounded  on  three  sides 
by  water ;  on  the  fourth,  for  some  distance, 
extends  a  dangerous  morass ;  the  remainder 
was  tJien  fortified  with  a  line  eight  feet  high, 
and  planted  with  artillery.  For  one  hundred 
yards  in  front  the  plain  was  covered  with 
great  trees,  cut  for  the  purpose  of  defence, 
nliwse  interwoven  and  sharpened  branches 
projected  outwards.  Notwithstanding  these 
impediments,  the  engineer  who  had  been  em- 
ployed to  reconnoitre,  reported  as  his  opinion, 
that  the  works  might  be  carried  with  mus- 
ketry. The  difficulty  and  delay  of  dragging 
the  nattering  cannon  over  grounds  almost  im- 
practicable, mduced  the  adoption  of  this  fatal 
advice—- to  which,  however,  a  rumour  that  the 
ffarrison,  already  consisting  of  four  or  f\\e 
thousand  men,  was  on  the  point  of  being  aug- 
mented with  three  thousand  more,  probably 
contributed.     The  attack  was  as  spnited  in 


th 
ca 


% 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


53 


execution  as  ill-judged  in  design.  The  as- 
sailants, after  having  been  for  more  than  four 
hours  exposed  to  a  most  fatal  fire,  without 
making  anj  impression  by  their  reiterated  and 
obstinate  proots  of  valour,  were  ordered  to  re- 
treat. Major  Putnam,  who  had  acted  as  an 
aid  in  bringing  the  Provincial  regiments  suc- 
cessively to  action,  assisted  in  preserving  or- 
der. It  was  said  that  a  great  number  of  the 
enemy  were  shot  in  the  head,  every  other 
part  havintr  been  concealed  behind  their  works. 
The  loss  on  our  side  was  upwards  of  two 
thousand  killed  and  wounded.  Twenty-five 
hundred  stands  of  arms  were  taken  by  the 
French.  Our  army,  after  sustaining  this  hav- 
ock,  retreated  with  such  extraordinary  precip- 
itation, that  they  regained  their  camp  at  the 
soul*  "d  of  Lake  George  the  evening  after 
the         jn. 

The  successes  in  other  parts  of  America 
made  amends  for  this  defeat.  Louisbourg,  af- 
ter a  vigorous  siege,  was  reduced  by  the  Gen- 
erals Amherst  and  Wolf :  Frontenac,  a  post  of 
importance  on  the  communication  between 
Lake  Ontario  and  the  St.  Lawrence,  surren- 
dered to  Colonel  Bradstreet:  and  Fort  Du 
Quesne,  situated  at  the  conflue  ^ce  of  Monon- 
gahela  with  the  Ohio,  (the  possession  of  which 
had  kindled  the  flame  of  war  that  now  spread 
tlirough  the  four  quarters  of  the  globe)  was 
captured  by  General  Forbes. 


■M. 


■^5t.T 


54 


LIFE   OP   GENERAL    PUTNAM. 


4^ 


-^  A  few  adventures,  in  which  the  public  inter- 
ests were  little  concerned,  but  which,  from 
their  peculiarity,  appear  worthy  of  being  pre- 
served, happened  before  the  conclusion  oi  the 
/ear.  As  one  day  Major  Putnam  chanced  to 
lie  with  a  batteau  and  nve  men,  on  the  eastern 
shor  .)f  the  Hudson^  near  the  Rapids,  con- 
tigr  3  to  which  Fort  Miller  stood,  his  men 
on  ti^e  opposite  bank  had  given  him  to  under- 
stand, that  a  Iiar^e  body  of  savages  v\^ere  in  his 
rear,  and  would  be  upon  !iim  in  a  moment. 
To  stay  and  be  sacrificed — to  attempt  crossing 
and  be  shot — or  to  go  down  to  the  falls,  with 
an  almost  absolute  certainty  of  being  drowned, 
were  the  sole  alternatives  that  presented  them- 
selves to  his  choice.  So  instantaneously  was 
the  latter  adopted,  that  one  man  who  had  ram- 
bled a  little  from  the  party,  was,  of  necessity, 
left,  and  fell  a  miserable  victim  to  savage  bar- 
barity. T^he  Indians  arrived  on  the  shore 
soon  enough  to  fire  many  balls  on  the  batteau 
before  it  could  be  got  under  way.  No  sooner 
had  oFir  batteau-men  escaped,  by  favour  of  the 
rapidity  of  the  current,  beyond  the  reach  of 
musket-shot,  than  death  seemed  only  to  have 
been  avoided  in  one  form  to  be  encountered  in 
another  not  less  terrible.  Prominent  rocks, 
latent  shelves,  absorbing  eddies,  and  abrupt 
descents,  for  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  afibrded 
scarcely  the  smallest  chance  of  escaping  with- 
out a  miracle.  Putnam,  trusting  ^imself  to  a 
good  Providence,  whose  kindness  he  had  often 


m 


-K:-r» 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM 


55 


experienced,  rather  than  to  men,  whose  ten- 
derest  mercies  are  cruelty,  was  now  seen  to 
place  himself  sedately  at  the  helm,  and  afford 
an  astonishing  spectacle  of  serenity.  His  com- 
panions, with  a  mixture  of  terror,  admiration 
and  wonder,  saw  Jiim  incessantly  changing  the 
course,  to  avoid  the  jaws  of  ruin,  that  seemed 
expanded  to  swallow  the  whirling  boat. 
Twice  he  turned  it  fairly  round  to  snun  the 
rifts  of  rocks.  Amidst  these  eddies,  in  which 
there  was  the  greatest  danger  of  its  founder- 
ing, at  one  moment  the  sides  were  exposed  to 
the  fury  of  the  waves ;  then  the  stern,  and 
next  the  bow  glanced  obliquely  onward,  with 
inconceivable  velocity .^With  not  less  amaze- 
ment the  savages  beheld  him  sometimes  mount- 
ing the  billows,  then  plunging  abruptly  down, 
at  other  times  skilfully  veering  from  the  rocks, 
and  shooting  through  the  only  narrow  passage; 
until,  at  last,  thev  viewed  the  boat  sately  glid- 
ing on  the  smooth  surface  of  the  stream  below. 
At  this  sight,  it  is  asserted,  that  these  rude 
sons  of  nature  were  affected  with  the  same 
kind  of  superstitious  veneration  which  the  Eu- 
ropsans,  in  the  dark  ages,  entertained  for  some 
of  their  most  valorous  champions.  They 
deemed  the  man  invulnerable,  wnom  their  balls, 
on  his  pushing  from  shore,  could  not  touch ; 
and  wnom  they  had  seen  steering  in  safety 
down  the  rapids  that  had  never  before  been 
passed.  They  conceived  it  would  be  an  af- 
iront  against  the  Great  Spirit  to  attempt  to  kill 


.r^,- 


;  -^r' " 


E?;  "^-v: 


66 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


r  * 


u 


u  ■■ 


this  favoured  mortal  ivith  powder  and  ball,  if 
they  should  ever  see  and  know  him  again. 

in  the  month  of  August  five  hundred  men 
were  employed,  under  the  orders  of  Majors 
Rogers  and  Putnam,  to  watch  the  motions  of 
the  enemy  near  Ticondrroga.  At  Soi^th-bay 
they  separated  the  party  into  two  equal  divis- 
ions, and  Rogers  took  a  position  on  Wood- 
Cr<»ek,     reive  miles  distant  from  Putnam. 

Upoi  being,  some  time  afterwards,  discov- 
ered, they  formed  a  re-union,  and  concerted 
measures  for  returning  to  Fort  Edward. 
Their  march  through  the  woods  was  m  three 
divisions  by  files  :  the  right  commanded  by 
Rogers,  the  left  by  Putnam,  and  the  centre 
bj  Captain  D'Ell.  The  first  night  they  en- 
camped on  the  banks  of  Clear  River ^  about  a 
mile  from  old  Fort  Ann,  which  had  been  for- 
merly built  by  Geneial  Nicholson.  Next  morn- 
ing Major  Rogers,  and  a  British  officer  named 
Irwin,  mcautiously  suffered  themselves,  from  a 
spirit  of  false  emulation,  to  be  engaged  in  firing 
at  a  mark.  Nothing  could  have  been  more 
repugnant  to  the  military  principles  of  Putnam 
than  such  conduct,  or  reprobated  by  him  in 
more  pointed  terms.  As  soon  as  the  heavy 
dew  which  had  fallen  the  preceding  night 
would  permit,  the  detachment  moved  in  one 
body,  Putnam  being  in  front,  D'Ell  in  centre, 
and  Rogers  in  the  rear.  The  impervious 
growth  of  shrubs  and  under-brush  that  bad 
sprung  up,  where  the  land  had  been  partially 


>m 


CO] 

pa 

Wli 

cai 
led\ 

to 
be< 


-  ■•  ;;^::' 


■''"/  .*■  : 


s;^  iiV*;iifl^7*""rT^-' 


''■''V.iT!P'-  ',V':?ej>'. 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


57 


ind  ball,  if 
1  again, 
ndred  men 
of  Majors 
motions  of 
Sonth-i^ay 
3qual  divis- 
on  Wood- 
utnam. 
rds,  discov- 
l  concerted 
t    Edward, 
ivas  in  three 
imanded  by 
the  centre 
rht  theyen- 
iveu  about  a 
ad  been  for- 
Next  morn- 
ifficer  named 
slves,  from  a 
iged  in  firing 
I  been  more 
e3  of  Putnam 
id  by  him  in 
is  the  heavy 
ceding  night 
aoved   in  one 
Ell  in  centre, 
e   impervious 
ush  tnat  had 
jeen  partially 


i 


> 


cleared  some  years  before,  occasioned  this 
change  in  the  order  of  march.  At  the  moment 
of  moving,  the  famous  French  partizan  Mo- 
larig,  who  had  been  sent  with  five  hundred 
men  to  intercept  our  party,  was  not  more  than 
one  mile  and  an  half  distant  from  them.  Hav- 
ing heard  the  firing,  he  hastened  to  lay  an  am- 
buscade precisely  in  that  part  of  the  wood 
most  favourable  to  his  project.  Major  Put- 
nam was  just  emerging  from  the  thicket,  into 
the  common  forest,  when  the  enemy  rose,  and 
with  discordant  yells  and  whoops,  commenced 
an  attack  upon  the  right  of  his  division.  Sur- 
prised, but  undismayed,  Putnam  halted,  return- 
ed the  fire,  and  passed  the  word  for  the  other 
divisions  to  advance  for  his  support.  D'Ell 
came.  The  action,  though  widely  scattered, 
and  principally  fought  between  man  and  man, 
soon  grew  general  and  intensely  warm.  It 
would  be  as  difficult  as  useless  to  describe  this 
irregular  and  ferocious  mode  of  fighting.  Rog- 
ers came  not  up;  but,  as  he  declared  after- 
wards, formed  a  circular  file  between  our  par- 
ty and  Wood-Creek,  to  prevent  their  being 
taken  in  rear  or  enfiladed.  Successful  as  he 
commonly  was,  his  conduct  did  not  always 
pass  without  unfavourable  imputation.  Not- 
withstanding, it  was  a  current  saying  in  the 
camp,  "that  Rogers  always  senty  but  rutnam 
led  his  men  to  action,"  yet,  injustice,  it  ought 
to  be  remarked  here,  that  the  latter  has  never 
been  kpown,  in  relating  the  story  of  tliis  day's 


y*' 


-','«^ 


58 


LIFE  CF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


disaster,  to  ajOlix  any  :'ti^ma  upon  the  conduct 
of  the  former,  r 

Major  Putnam,  perceiving  it  would  be  im- 
practicable to  cross  the  creek,  determined  to 
maintain  his  ground.  Inspired  by  his  exam- 
ple, the  officers  and  men  behaved  with  great 
Dravery:  sometimes  they  fought  aggregately 
in  open  view,  and  sometimes  individually  un- 
der cover ;  taking  aim  from  behind  the  bodies 
of  trees,  and  actmg  in  a  manner  independent 
of  each  other.  For  himself,  having  discharged 
his  fuzee  several  times,  at  length  it  missed  nre, 
while  the  muzzle  was  pressed  against  the 
breast  of  a  large  and  weh  proportioned  savage. 
This  warrior^  availing  himself  of  the  indefensi- 
ble attitude  of  his  adversary,  with  a  tremen- 
dous war-hoop,  sprang  forward,  with  his  lifted 
hatchet,  and  compelled  him  to  surrender;  and 
having  disarmed  and  bound  him  fast  to  a  tree, 
returned  to  the  battle. 

The  intrepid  Captains  D^Ell  and  Harman, 
who  now  commanded,  were  forced  to  give 
ground  for  a  little  distance :  (he  savages,  con- 
ipeiving  this  to  be  the  certain  harbinger  of  vic- 
tory, rushed  impetuously  on,  with  dreadful  and 
redoubled  cries.  But  our  two  partizans,  col- 
lecting a  handful  of  brave  men,  gave  the  pur- 
suers so  warm  a  reception  as  to  oblige  them, 
in  turn,  fo  retreat  a  little  beyond  the  spot  at 
which  the  action  had  commenced  Here  they 
made  a  stand.  This  change  of  ground  occa- 
sioned the  tree  to  which  Putnam  was  tied  to 


r 


:-ci?r:. 


# 


LIFE    OP   GEMERAL   PUTNAM. 


59 


■"*#■ 


be  directly  between  the  fire  of  the  two  pfirties. 
Human  imagination  can  hardly  figure  to  itself  a 
more  deplorable  situation.  The  balls  flew 
incessantly  from  either  side,  many  struck  the 
tree,  while  some  pas  jd  through  the  sleeves 
and  skirts  of  his  coat.  In  this  state  of  jeopar- 
dy, unable  to  move  his  body,  to  stir  his  limbs, 
or  even  to  incline  his  head,  he  remained  more 
than  an  hour.  So  equally  balanced,  and  so 
obstinate  was  the  fight!  At  one  moment, 
while  the  battle  swerved  in  favour  of  the  ene- 
my, a  young  savage  chose  an  odd  way  of  dis- 
covering his  humour.  He  found  Putnam 
bound.  He  might  have  dispatched  him  at  a 
blow.  But  he  loved  better  to  excite  the  ter- 
rors of  the  prisoner,  by  hurling  a  tomahawk 
at  his  head,  or  rather  it  should  seem  his  object 
was  to  see  how  near  he  could  throw  it  with- 
out touching  him — the  weapon  struck  in  the 
tree  a  number  of  times  at  a  nair'b  breadth  dis- 
tance from  the  mark.  W  hen  the  Indian  had 
finished  his  amusement,  a  French  bas-officer 
(a  much  more  inveterate  savage  by  nature, 
though  descended  from  so  humane  and  polish- 
ed a  nation)perceiving  Putnam,  came  up  to 
him,  and,  levelhng  a  fuzee  within  a  foot  of  his 
breast,  attempted  to  discharge  it — it  missed 
fire.  Ineffectually  did  the  intended  victim  so- 
licit the  treatment  due  to  his  situation,  by  re- 
peating that  he  was  a  prisoner  of  war.  The 
degenerate  Frenchman  did  not  understand  the 
language  of  honour  or  of  nature:  deaf  to  their 


<>■ 


^€' 


*r- 


■^r 


',W[^'^«»A<, 


{  •^' 


m-' 


ic-. 


V- 


■••1.,' 


^ 


LIFE   OF   GENERAL   PUTNABIr 


voice,  and  dead  to  sensibility,  he  violently,  and 
repeatedly,  pushed  the  muzzle  of  his  gun 
against  Putnam's  ribs,  and  finally  gave  him  a 
cruel  blow  on  the  jaw  with  the  but-end  of  his 
piece.  After  this  dastardly  deed  he  left  him. 
At  length  the  active  intrepidity  of  D'Ell 
and  Harman,^  seconded  by  the  persevering 
valour  of  their  followers,  prevailed.  They 
drove  from  the  field  the  enemy,  who  left 
about  ninety  dead  behind  them.  As  they 
were  retiring,  Putnam  was  untied  by  the  In- 
dian who  had  made  him  prisoner,  and  whom 
he  afterwards  called  master.  Having  been 
conducted  for  some  distance  from  the  place  of 
action,  he  was  stripped  of  his  coat,  vest,  stock- 
ings and  shoes ;  loaded  with  as  many  of  the 
packs  of  the  wounded  as  could  be  piled  upon 
him ;  strongly  pinioned,  and  his  wrists  tiea  as 
closely  together  as  they  could  be  pulled  with 
a  cord.  After  he  had,  marched,  through  no 
pleasant  paths,  in  this  painful  manner,  for  ma- 
ny a  tedious  mile,  the  party  (who  were  exces- 
sively fatigued)  halted  to  breathe.  His  hands 
were  now  immoderately  swelled  from  the 
tightness  of  the  ligature ;  and  the  pain  had 
become  intolerable.  His  feet  were  so  much 
scratched,  that  the  blood  dropped  fast  from 
them.  Exhausted  with  bearing  ^  burden  above 
his  strength,  and  frantic  with  torments  exqui- 
site beyond  endurance,  he  entreated  the  Irish 

•  This  worthy  officer  is  still  living  (1788)  at  Marlborough  io  the 
State  of  Massj^ohusetts. 


*'^.- 


larlborough  id  the 


LIFE    OF   GENERAL    PUTNAM. 


61  ^ 


interpreter  to  implore,  as  the  last  and  only 
grace  he  desired  of  the  savages,  that  thej 
would  knock  him  on  the  head  and  take  his 
scalp  at  once,  or  loose  his  hands.  A  French 
officer,  instantly  interposing,  ordered  his  hands 
to  be  unbound,  and  some  of  the  packs  to  be 
taken  off.  By  this  time  the  Indian  who  cap- 
tured him,  and  had  been  absent  with  the 
wounded,  coming  up,  gave  him  a  pair  of  mo- 
casons,  and  expressed  great  indignation  at 
the  unworthy  treatment  his  prisoner  had  suf- 
fered. 

That  savage  chief  again  returned  to  the 
care  of  the  wounded,  and  the  Indians,  about 
two  hundred  in  number,  went  before  the  rest 
of  the  part^  to  the  place  where  the  whole 
were  that  night  to  encamp.  They  took  with 
them  Major  Putnam,  on  whom,  besides  innu- 
merable other  outrages,  they  had  the  barbarity 
to  inflict  a  deep  wound  with  the  tomahawk  in 
the  left  cheek.  His  suiferings  were  in  this 
place  to  be  consummated.  A  scene  of  horror, 
infinitely  greater  than  had  ever  met  his  eyes 
before,  was  now  preparing.  It  was  deter- 
mined to  roast  him  alive.  For  this  purpose 
they  led  him  into  a  dark  forest,  stripped  him 
naked,  bound  him  to  a  tree,  and  piled  dry 
brush,  with  other  fuel,  at  a  small  distance,  in 
a  circle  round  him.  They  accompanied  their 
labout's,  as  if  for  his  funeral  dirge,  with 
screams  and  sounds  inimitable  but  by  savage 
voices.  Then  they  set  the  piles  on  fire.  A 
6#  . 


IT  ■., 


■«, 


'*J-'t'i 


.*m 


'{%■' 


'■'■*'■ 


■'%■ 


■■»»  •  t 


m 

'n. 


e- 


LIFE  OP  GENERAL  PUTNAM.    ^ 

sudden  shower  damped  the  rising  flame.  Still 
they  strove  to  kindle  It,  until,  at  last,  the  blaze 
ran  fiercely  round  the  circle.     Major  Putnam 
soon  began  to  feel  the  scorching  heat.     His 
hands  were  so  tied  that  he  could  move  his 
body.     He  often  shifted  sides  as  the  fire  ap- 
proached.    This  sight,  at  the  very  Idea  of 
which  all  but  savages  must  shudder,  afforded 
the  highest  diversion  to  his  Inhuman  tormen- 
tors, who  demonstrated  the  delirium  of  their 
joy  hy  correspondent  yells,  dances,  and  gesti- 
culations.    He  saw  clearly  that  his  final  nour 
was  inevitably  come.     He  summoned  all  his 
resolution,  and  composed  his  mind,  as  far  as 
the  circumstances  could  admit,  to  bid  an  eter- 
nal farewell  to  all  he  held  most  dear.     To 
quit  the  world  would  scarcely  have  cost  a 
smgle  pang ;  but  for  the  Idea  of  home,  but  for 
the  remembrance  of  domestic  endearments,  of 
the  affectionate  partner  of  his  soul,  and  of 
their  beloved  offsprlns:.     His  thought  was  ul- 
timately  fixed  on  a  happier  state  of  existence, 
beyond  the  tortures  he  was  beginning  to  en- 
dure.    The  bitterness  of  death,  even  of  that 
death  which  is  accompanied  with  the  keenest 
agonies,  was,  in  a  manner,  past — nature,  with 
a  feeble  struggle,  was  quitting  Its  last  hold 
on  sublunary  things — wnen  a  French  officer 
rushed  through  the  crowd,  opened  a  way  by 
scattering  the  burning  brands,  and  unbound 
the  victim.    It  was  Molang  himself — to  whom 
a  savagd,  uawilling  to  see  another  human  sa- 


/.i 


■"i  ■'"* 


LIPtS   OF   GENERAL    PUTNAM.       - 

crifice  immolated,  had  run  and  communicated 
the  tidings.  That  commandant  spurned  and 
severely  reprimanded  the  barbarians,  whose 
nocturnal  powwas  and  hellish  orgies  he  sud- 
denly ended.  Putnam  did  not  want  for  feel- 
ing or  gratitude.  The  French  commander^  -0 
fearing  to  trust  him  alone  with  them,  remain- 
ed until  he  could  deliver  him  in  safety  into 
the  hands  of  his  master. 

The  savage  approached  his  prisoner  kindly, 
and  seemed  to  treat  him  with  particular  affec- 
tion. He  offered  him  some  hard  biscuit;  but 
finding  that  he  could  not  chew  them,  on  ac- 
count of  the  blow  he  had  received  from  the 
Frenchman,  this  more  humane  savage  soaked 
some  of  the  biscuit  in  water,  and  made  him 
suck  the  pulp-like  part.  Determined,  hew- 
ever,  not  to  loose  his  captive  (the  refreshnr  ent 
being  finished)  he  took  the  mocasons  from  his 
feet,  and  tied  them  to  one  of  his  wrists  :  then 
directing  him  to  lie  down  on  his  back  upon 
the  bare  ground,  he  stretched  one  arm  to  its  * 
full  length,  and  bound  it  fast  to  a  young  tree ; 
the  other  arm  was  extended  and  bound  in 
the  same  manner — his  legs  were  stretched 
apart  and  fastenied  to  two  saplings.  Then  a 
number  of  tall,  but  slender  pole^  were  cut 
down,  which,  with  some  long  bushes,  were 
laid  across  his  body  from  head  to  foot :  on 
each  side  lay  as  many  Indians  as  could  conve- 
nientljr  find  lodging,  in  order  to  prevent  the 
possibility  of  his  escape.    In  this  aisagreeabie 


i 


\\ 


<(•'   mm- . 


wm 


LIFE  OP  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


and  painful  posture  he  remained  until  morn- 
ing. During  this  night,  the  longest  and  most 
dreary  conceivable,  our  hero  used  to  relate 
that' he  felt  a  ray  of  cheerfulness  come  casu- 
ally across  his  mmd,  and  could  not  even  re- 
fram  from  smiling  when  he  reflected  on  this 
hidicrous  group  for  a  painter,  of  which  he 
himself  was  the  principal  figure. 

The  next  d^y  he  was  allowed  his  blanket 
and  mocasons,  and  permitted  to  march  with- 
out carrying  any  pack,  or  receiving  any  in- 
sult. To  allay  his  extreme  hunger,  a  little 
bear's  meat  was  given,  which  he  sucked 
through  his  teeth.  At  night  the  party  arrived 
at  Ticonderoga,  and  the  prisoner  was  placed 
under  the  care  of  a  French  guard.  The  sava- 
ges, who  had  been  prevented  from  glutting 
tneir  diabolical  thirst  for  blood,  took  other 
opportunity  of  manifesting  their  malevolence 
for  the  disappointment  by  horrid  grimaces 
and  angry  gestures ;  but  they  were  suffered 
no  more  to  offer  violence  or  personal  indignity 
to  him.       ' 

After  having  been  examined  by  the  Mar- 

3uis  de  Montcalm,  Major  Putnam  was  con- 
ucted  to  Montreal  by  a  French  officer,  who 
treated  him  with  the  greatest  indulgence  and 
humanity.  "^ 

At  this  place  were  several  prisoners.  Col- 
onel Peter  Schuyler,  remarkable  for  his  phi- 
kntbropy,  generosity,  and  friendship,  was  of 
Ihe  number.    No  sooner  had  he  heard  of  Ma- 


'*•■ 


LIFE  OP  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


65 


jor  Putnam's  arrival,  than  he  went  to  the  in- 
terpreter's quarters,  and  inquired  whether  he  . 
had  a  Provincial  Major  in  his  custody  ?  He 
found  Major  Putnam  in  a  comfortless  co|idi-> 
tion — witnout  coat,  waistcoat,  or  hose — the 
remnant  of  his  clothing  miserably  dirty  and 
ragged — his  beard  long  and  squalid — his  legs 
torn  by  thorns  and  briars — his  face  gashed 
with  wounds-and  swollen  with  bruises.  Colonel 
Schuyler,  irritated  beyond  all  sufferance  at 
such  a  sight,  could  scarcel  v^  restrain  his  speech 
within  limits,  consistent  v/ith  the  prudence  of 
a  prisoner  and  the  meekness  of  a  christian. 
Major  Putnam  was  immediately  treated  ac- 
cording to  his  rank,  cloathed  in  a  decent 
manner,  and  supplied  with  money  by  that 
liberal  and  sympathetic  patron  of  the  disi 
tressed. 

The  capture  of  Frontenac  by  General 
Bradstreet  afforded  occasion  for  an  exchange 
of  prisoners.  Colonel  Schuyler  was  compre- 
hended in  the  cartel,  A  generous  spirit  can 
never  be  satisfied  with  imposing  tasks  for 
its  generosity  to  accomplish.  Apprehensive 
if  it  should  be  known  (hat  Putnam  was  a 
distinguished  partizan,  his  liberation  might  be 
retarded,  and  knowing  that  there  were  offi- 
cers who,  from  the  length  of  their  captivity, 
had  a  claim  of  uriority  to  exchange,  he  had, 
by  his  happy  address,  induced  the  governor 
to  offer,  that  whatever  officer  he  might  think 
proper  to  nominate  should  be  included  in  the 


!#■ 


jiv, »:•?;: -^^»s5r-  ■"  ■y;y'c--^^.:^  ■'in;':'.''-. 


•p?'W 


*  - 


il  E 


i  >  - 


*  *. 


'f^'i' 


■,'-•'*■ 


w 


i^V: 


*»■' 


66 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM* 


present  cartel.  With  great  politeness  in  man- 
ner, but  seeming  indifference  as  to  object,  he 
expressed  his  warmest  acknowledgments  to 
the  governor,  and  said,  "  There  is  an  bid  man 
here,  who  is  a  Provincial  Major,  and  wishes 
to  be  at  home  with  his  wife  and  children ;  he 
can  do  no  good  here  or  any  where  else :  I 
believe  your  Excellency  had  better  keep  some 
of  the  young  men,  who  have  no  wife  or  chil- 
dren to  care  for,  and  let  the  old  fellow  go 
home  with  me."  This  justifiable  finesse  had 
the  desired  effect. 

At  the  house  of  Colonel  Schuyler,  Major 
Putnaiik  became  acquainted  with  Mrs.  Howe, 
a  fair  captive,  whose  history  would  not  be 
read  without  emotion,  if  it  could  be  written  in 
the  same  affecting  manner  in  which  I  have 
often  heard  it  told.  She  was  still  young  and 
handsome  herself,  though  she  had  two  daugh- 
ters of  marriageable  age.  Distress,  which  had 
taken  somewhat  from  the  original  redundancy 
of  her  bloom,  and  added  a  softening  paleness 
to  her  cheeks,  rendered  her  appearance  the 
more  engaging.  Her  face,  that  seemed  to  have 
been  formed  for  the  assemblage  of  dimples 
and  smiles,  was  clouded  with  care.  The  natu- 
ral sweetness  was  not,  however,  soured  by 
despondency  and  petulance,  but  chastened  by 
humility  a  ia  resignation.  This  mild  daughter 
of  sorrow  looked  as  if  she  had  known  the  day 
of  prosperity,  when  serenity  and  gladness  of 
soul  were  tne  inmates  of  her  bosom.    That 


."^. 


* 


^  LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


67 


day  was  past,  and  the  once  lively  features 
now  assumed  a  tender  melancholy,  which  wit- 
nessed her  irreparable  loss.     She  needed  not 
the  customary  weeds  of  mourning,  or  the  fal- 
lacious pageantry  of  woe,  to  prove  her  widow- 
ed state.     She  was  in  that  stage  of  affliction 
when  the  excess  is  so  far  abated  as  to  permit 
the  subject  to   be    drawn  into  conversation, 
without  opening  the  wound  afresh.    It  is  then 
rather  a  source  of  pleasure  than  pain  to  dwell 
upon  the  circumstances  in  narration.     Every 
thing  conspired  to  make  her  story  interesting. 
Her  first  husband  had  been  killed  and  scalped 
by  the  Indians  some  years  before.     By  an  un- 
expected assault,  in  1756,  upon  Fort  Dummer, 
where  she  then  happened  to  be  present  with 
Mr.  Howe,  her  second   husband,  the  savages 
carried  the  fort,  murdered  the  greater  part  of 
the  garrison,  mangled  in  death  her  husband, 
and  led   her  away  with  seven  children  into 
captivity.   She  was  for  some  months  kept  with 
them  ;  and  during  their  rambles  she  was  fre- 
quently on  the  point  of  perishing  with  hunger, 
and  as  often  subjected  to  hardships  seemingly 
intolerable   to   one  of  so   delicate   a   frame. 
Some  time  after  the  career  of  her  miseries 
began,  the  Indians  selected  a  couple  of  their 
young  men  to  marry  her  daughters.     The 
fright  ar)d  disgust  which  the  intelligence  of 
this  intention  occasioned  to  these  poor  young 
creatures,  added  infinitely  to  the  sorrows  and 
perplexities  of  their  frantic  mother.     To  pre- 

1*' 


^-4^^ 


68 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


vent  the  hated  connexion,  all  the  activity  of 
female  resource  was  called  into  exertion.  She 
found  an  opportunity  of  conveying  to  the 
governor  a  petition,  that  her  daughters  might 

'h-  be   received  into  a  convent  for  the  sake  of 

securing  the  salvation  of  their  souls.    Happily 
^       the  pious  fraud  succeeded. 

.  Aoout  the  same  time  the  savages  separated, 

^  and  carried  ofi  her  other  five  children  into 

different  tribes.  She  was  ransomed  by  an 
elderly  Frencii  officer  for  four  hundred  livres. 
Of  no  avail  were  the  cries  of  this  tender 
mother — a  mother  desolated  by  the  loss  of 
her  children,  who  were  thus  torn  from  her 
fond  embraces,  and  removed  many  hundred 
miles  from  each  other,  into  the  utmost  recesses 
of  Canada.  With  them  (could  they  have  been 
kept  together)  she  would  most  willingly  have 
warjJered  to  tlie  extremities  of  the  world,  and 
accepted  as  a  desirable  portion  the  cruel  lot 
of  slavery  for  life.  But  she  was  precluded 
from  the  sweet  hope  of  ever  beholaing  them 
again.  The  insufferable  pang  of  parting,  and 
the  idea  of  eternal  separation,  planted  the  ar- 
rows of  despair  deep  m  her  soul.  Though  all 
the  world  was  no  better  than  a  desert,  and 
all  its  inhabitants  were  then  indifferent  to  her, 
yet  the  loveliness  of  her  appearance  in  sorrow 
had  awakened  affections,  which,  in  the  aggra- 
vation of  her  troubles,  were  to  become  a  new 
source  of  afflictions. 

The  officer  who  bought  her  of  the  Indians 
had  a  son  who  also  held  a  commission,  and 


^  \ 


M 


LIFE  OP  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


m 


resided  with  his  father.     During  her  contihu- 
ance  in  the  same  house,  at  St.  John's,  the 
double  attachment  of  the  father  and   the  son 
rendered  her  situation  extremeljj  distressing.  It 
is  true,  the  calmness  of  age  delighted  to  gaze 
respectfully  on   her  beauty ;  but  the  impetu- 
osity of  )outh  was  fired  to  madness   by  the 
sight  of  her  charms.   One  dav,  the  son,  whose 
attentions  had  been  long  lavished  upon  her  in 
vain,  finding  her  alone  in  a  chamber,  forcibly 
seized  her  hand,  and   solemnly  declared  that 
he  would  now  satiate   the  passion   which  she 
had  so  long  refused  to  indulge.    She  recurred 
to  entreaties,  struggles,  and  tears,  those  preva- 
lent female  weapons  which  the  distraction  of 
danger  not  less  than  the  promptness  of  genius 
is  wont  to  supply ;  while  he,  in  the  delirium 
of  vexation  and  desire,  snatched  a  dagger,  and 
swore  he  would  put  an  end  to  her  life  if  she 
persisted  to  struggle.     Mrs.  Howe,  assuming 
the  dignity  of  conscious  virtue,  told  him  it  was 
what  she  most  ardently  wished,  and  begged 
him  to  plunge  the  poignard  through  her  hearty 
since  the  mutual  importunities  and  Jealousies 
of  such  rivals  had  rendered   her  life,  though 
innocent,   more   irksome    and    insupportable 
than  death  itself.     Struck  with  a  momentary 
compimction,  he  seemed   to  relent,  jiind  relax 
his  liold  ;    and  she,  availiog   herself  of  his 
irresolution,  or  absence  of  mind,  escaped  down 
the  stairs.   In  her  disordered  state  she  told  the 
whole  transaction  to  his  father,  who  directed 


'r  ■^it%5:)s"-ji'",;v 


■  t\::i'^y-',7W''^r^W^Wi^{  'ci'i;7i^:'^^'rm";'/-'''fi'"'i'-'' 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


€ 


r 


f^m  future,  to  sleep  in  a  small  bed  at  the 
foot  of  that  m  which  his  wife  lodged.  The 
atfau*  soon  reached  the  governor's  ears,  and 
the  joung  officer  was,  shortly  afterwards,  sent 
on  a  tour  of  duty  to  Detroit 

This  gave  her  a  short  respite ;  hut  she 
dreaded  his  retinn.  and  the  humihating  inaulr? 
for  which  she  might  be  reserved.  A^-r  chil- 
dren, too,  were  ever  present  to  her  moler- 
choly  mind.  A  stranger,  a  widow,  f)  captive, 
she  knew  not  where  to  a|)ply  for  relief.  She 
had  heard  of  the  name  oi  Schuyler — she  was 
jet  to  learn,  that  it  was  only  another  appella- 
tion for  the  friend  of  suffering  b  imanilj.  As 
thai  excellent  man  was  on  his  way  froia  Que- 
bec to  the  Jerseys,  under  a  parole,  for  a  Hmit- 
ed  tiniis  he  came,  with  feeble  and  trembling 
step?,  to  him  The  same  maternal  passion 
which  sometimes  overcomes  the  timidity  of 
nature  in  the  birds,  when  plund(  red  of  their 
callow  nestlings,  emboldened  her,  notwhh- 
standing  her  native  diffiJence,  to  disclose 
those  griefs  which  were  ready  to  devour  her 
ki  silence.  While  her  delicate  aspect  was 
heightened  to  a  glowing  blush,  for  fear  of  of- 
fending by  an  inexcusable  impo. . jnity,  or  of 
tranegressmg  the  rules  of  propria  j  by  repre- 
senting herself  as  being  an  object  of  admira- 
tion, sne  told,  with  artless  simplicity,  all  the 
story  of  her  woes.  Colonel  Schuyler,  from 
that  moment,  became  her  protector,  and  en* 
deavoured  to  procure  her  liberty.     The  per- 


,7 


^^I 


'■\J'f^f^r''irfr<:yr.  -'^^.ro^-  :i 


:-*^--  '- 


LIFE  OP  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 

gon  who  purchased  her  from  the  savages,  un- 
willing to  part  with  so  fair  a  purchase,  de- 
manded a  thousand  livres  as  her  ransom.  But 
Colonel  Schuyler,  on  his  return  to  Quebec, 
obtained  from  the  governor  an  order,  in  con- 
sequence of  which  Mrs.  Howe  was  given  up 
to  him  for  four  hundred  livres;  nor  did  his 
active  goodness  rest  until  every  one  of  her 
five  sons  was  restored  to  her. 
*  Business  having  made  it  necessary  that  Col-, 
onel  Schuyler  should  precede  the  prisoners 
who  were  exchanged,  he  recommended  the 
fair  captive  to  the  protection  of  his  friend  Put- 
nam. She  had  just  recovered  from  the  mea- 
zles  when  the  party  was  preparing  to  set  oflf 
for  New-England.  By  this  time  the  young 
French  officer  had  returned,  with  his  passion 
rather  increased  than  abated  by  absence.  He 
pursued  her  wheresoever  she  went,  and,  al- 
though he  could  make  no  advances  in  her  af- 
fection, he  seemed  resolved,  by  perseverance, 
to  carry  his  point.  Mrs.  Howe,  terrified  by 
his  treatment,  was  obliged  to  keep  constantly 
near  Major  Putnam,  who  informed  the  young 
officer  that  he  should  protect  that  lady  at  the 
risk  of  his  life.* 

In  the  long  march  from  captivity,  through 
an  inhospitable  wilderness,  encumbesfd  with 
five   small   children,  she   suffered   incredible 

•  Two  or  three  incidents  respecting  Mrs.  Howe,  which  »er« 
received  by  the  author  fi-om  General  Putnam,  and  inserted  in  th« 
former  editions,  are  omitted  in  this,  as  the)'  appeared,  on  fiirthcv 
inlormation,  to  be  mistakes. 


^ 


i:i<ti... 


w 


m- 


.■-.-'  ■y.^'y'r'^-v?';  v,'>  I ."'  ■'":. 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


hardships.  Though  endowed  with  masculine 
fortitude,  she  was  trulj  feminine  in  strength, 
and  must  have  fainted  bj  the  way,  had  it  not 
been  for  the  assistance  of  Major  Putnam. 
There  were  a  thousand  good  offices  which 
the  helplessness  of  her  condition  demanded, 
and  which  the  gentleness  of  his  nature  de- 
h'ghted  to  perform.  He  assisted  in  leading 
her  little  ones,  and  in  carrying  them  over  the 
swampj  grounds  and  runs  of  water,  with 
which  their  course  was  frequently  intersected. 
He  mingled  his  own  mess  with  that  of  the 
widow  and  the  fatherless,  and  assisted  them 
in  supplying  and  preparing  their  provisions. 
Upon  arriving  withm  tne  settlements,  they  ex- 
perienced a  reciprocal  regret  at  separation, 
and  were  only  consoled  by  the  expectation  of 
soon  mingling  in  the  embraces  of  their  former 
acquaintances  and  dearest  connexions. 

After  the  conquest  of  Canada,  in  1760,  she 
made  a  journey  to  Quebec,  in  order  to  bring 
back  her  two  daughters,  whom  she  had  left 
in  a  convent.  She  found  one  of  them  married 
to  a  French  officer.  The  other  having  con- 
tracted a  great  fondness  for  the  religious  sis- 
terhood, with  reluctance  consented  to  leave 
them  and  return.  .       ^    .  ^^  <»-*.,   , 

'  Weaoow  arrive  at  the  period  when  the 
prowess  of  Britain,  victorious  alike  by  sea  and 
Dv  land,  in  the  new  and  in  the  old  world,  had 
elevated  that  name  to  the  zenith  of  national 
glory.     The  conquest  of  Quebec  opened  the 


■-'T:-^:-pSifr-:-^--:r 


LtPE  or  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


'm 


Waj  for  the  total  reduction  of  Canada.  Oq 
the  side  of  the  Lakes,  Amherst  having  cap- 
tured the  posts  of  Ticonderoga  and  (Jrown-^ 
Point,  apphed  himself  to  strengthen  the  latter. 
Putnam,  who  had  been  raised  to  the  rank  t)f 
Lieutenant-Colonol,  and  present  at  these  ope- 
rations, was  employed  the  remainder  of  this 
and  some  part  of  the  succeeding  season,  in 
superintending  the  parties  which  were  detach* 
ed  to  procure  timber  and  other  materials  for 
the  fortification.  ♦  .  .;  .^^. 

In  1760,  General  Amherst,  a  sagacious,  hu- 
mane, and  experienced  commander,  planned 
the  termination  of  the  war  in  Canada,  hy  a 
bloodless  conquest.     For  this  purpose,  three 
armies  were  destined  to  co-operate,  by  differ- 
ent routes,  against  Montreal,  the  only  remain- 
ing place  of  strength  the  enemy  held  in  that 
country.     The  corps  formerly  commanded  by 
General  Wolfe,  now  by  General  Murray,  was 
ordered  to  ascend  the  river  St.  Lawrence ;  an- 
other, under  Colonel  Haviland,  to  penetrate 
by  the  Isle  Aux  Noix ;  and  the  thira,  consist- 
ing of  about  ten  thousand  men,  commanded 
by  the  General  himself,  after  passing  up  the 
Mohawk-River,  and  taking  its  course  by  the 
Lake  Ontario,  was  to  form  a  junction  by  fail** 
ing  down  the  St.  Lawrence.    In  this  progress, 
more  than  one  occasion   presented   itself  to 
manifest   the   intrepidity   and    soldiership  of 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Putnam.   Two  armed  ves- 
sels obscruqted  the  passage,  and  prevented  ihe 


-r-VVff 


Z' 


-#• 


74 


LIFE   OF   GENERAL    PUTNAM. 


attack  on  Oswegatchie.  Putnam,  with  one 
thousand  men,  in  fifty  batteaux,  undertook  to 
board  them.  This  dauntless  officer,  ever 
sparing  of  the  blood  of  others,  as  prodigal 
of  his  own,  to  accomplish  it  with  the  less  loss, 
put  himself  (with  a  chosen  crew,  a  beetle 
and  wedges)  in  the  van,  with  a  design  to 
wedge  the  rudders,  so  that  the  vessels  should 
not  be  able  to  turn  their  broadsides,  or  per- 
form any  other  manoeuvre.  All  the  men  in 
his  little  fleet  were  ordered  to  strip  to  their 
waistcoats,  and  advance  at  the  same  time. 
He  promised,  if  he  lived,  to  join  and  show 
them  the  way  up  the  sides.  Animated  by 
so  daring  an  example,  they  moved  swiftly, 
in  profound  stillness,  as  to  certain  victory  or 
death.  The  people  on  board  the  ships,  be- 
holding the  good  countenance  with  which 
they  approached,  ran  one  of  the  vessels  on 
shore,  and  struck  the  colours  of  the  other. 
Had  it  not  been  for  the  dastardly  conduct 
of  the  ship's  company  in  the  latter,  who 
compelled  tne  Captain  to  haul  down  his  en- 
sign, he  would  have  given  the  assailants  a 
bloody  reception:  for  the  vessels  were  well 
proviaed  with  spars,  nettings,  and  every  cus- 
tomary instrument  of  annoyance  as  well  as 
defence. 

It  now  remained  to  attack  the  fortress, 
which  stood  on  an  island,  and  seemed  to 
have  been  rendered  inaccessible  by  an  high 
abattis  of  black-ash,  that  every  where  pro^ 


f*-» 


"■>■  """T";  -'"f''  ■■  .'■- 


,tf.-.;i:?:-j«r.7;r¥i'" 


LIFE    OF   6ENERAL    PUTNAM. 


75 


with  one 
ertook  to 
cer,  ever 
,  prodigal 
J  less  loss, 
a  beetle 
design  to 
sels  should 
es,or  per- 
he  men  in 
rip  to  their 
same  time, 
and  show 
noiated   by 
\fed  swiftly, 
I  victory  or 
e  ships,  be- 
with  which 
»  vessels  on 
.    the  other, 
dly  conduct 
latter,  who 
own  his  en- 
assailants  a 
Is  were  well 
d  every  cus^ 
J  as  well  a? 

the  fortress, 
jd  seemed  to 
5  by  an  high 
where  pro^ 


■*  V 


Hi 


'ij 


jected  over  the  water.  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Putnam  proposed  a  mode  of  attack,  and  offer- 
ed his  services  to  carry  it  into  effect.  The 
General  approved  the  proposal.  Our  parti- 
zan,  accordingly,  caused  a  sufficient  number 
of  boats  to  be  fitted  for  the  enterprize.  The 
sides  of  each  boat  were  surrounded  with  fas- 
cines, muskei  proof,  which  covered  the  men 
completely.  A  wide  plank,  twenty  feet  in 
length,  was  then  fitted  to  every  boat  in  such 
manner,  by  having  an  angular  piece  sawed 
from  one  extremity,  that,  when  fastened  by 
ropes  on  both  sides  of  the  bow,  it  might  be 
raised  or  lowered  at  pleasure.  The  design 
was,  that  the  plank  should  be  held  erect  while 
the  oarsmen  forced  the  bow  with  the  utmost  ex- 
ertion against  the  abattis;  and  that  afterwards 
being  dropped  on  the  pointed  brush,  it  should 
serve  as  a  kind  of  bridge  to  assist  the  men  in 
passing  over  them.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Put- 
nam having  made  his  dispositions  to  attempt 
the  escalade  in  many  places  at  the  same  mo- 
ment, advanced  with  his  boats  in  admirable 
order.  The  garrison  perceiving  these  extraor- 
dinary and  unexpected  machines,  waited  not 
the  assault,  but  capitulated.  Lieutenant-Col- 
onel Putnam  was  particularly  honoured  by 
General  Amherst,  for  his  ingenuity  in  tliis  in- 
vention, and  promptitude  m  its  execution. 
The  three  armies  arrived  at  Montreal  within 
two  days  of  each  other ;  and  the  conquest  of 
Canada  became  complete  without  the  loss  of  a 
single  drop  of  blood. 


^mi 


ri'n  ■  ,■;/,.;,  -:  ,  r.ir. 


'■l-r  ■'T.r,:    r.-- 


\\ 


76 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


At  no  great  distance  from  Montreal  stands 
the  savage  village  called  Cochnawaga.  Here 
our  partizan  found  the  Indian  chief  v^ho  hr>d 
formerly  made  him  prisoner.  That  indian 
was  highly  delighted  to  see  his  old  acquaint- 
^  ance,  whom  he  entertained  in  his  own  well- 
built  stone  house  with  great  friendship  and 

^  hospitality ;   while  his  guest  did  not  discover 

less  satisfaction  in  an  opportunity  of  shaking 
the  brave  savage  by  the  hand,  and  proffering 
him  protection  in  this  reverse  of  his  military 
fortunes. 

When  the  belligerent  powers  were  consid- 
erably exhausted,  a  rupture  took  place  be- 
tween Great  Britain  and  Spain,  in  the  month 
of  January,]  762,  and  an  expedition  was  form- 
ed that  campaign,  under  Lord  Albermarle, 
against  the  Havannah.  A  body  of  Provinci- 
als, composed  of  five  hundred  men  from  the 
Jerseys,  eight  hundred  from  New- York,  and 

^  one   thousand   from  Connecticut,  joined   his 

Lordship.  General  Lyman,  who  raised  the  reg- 
iment of  one  tliousand  men  in  Connecticut,  be- 
in^  the  senior  officer,  commanded  the  whole : 
oicourse,  the  immediate  command  of  his  regi- 
ment devolved  upon  Lieutenant-Colonel  Put- 
nam. The  fleet  that  carried  these  troops  sail- 
ed from  New-York,  and  arrived  safely  on  the 
coast  of  Cuba.  There  a  terrible  storm  arose, 
and  the  transport  in  which  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Putnam  had  embarked  with  five  hundred  men, 
was  wrecked  on  a  rift  of  craggy  rocks.  The 
weather  was  so  tempestuous,  and  the  surf, 


LIFE   OF   GENERAL    PUTNAM. 


77 


which  ran  mountain-high,  dashed  with  such 
violence  against  the  i^hip,  that  the  most  experi- 
encea  seaman  expected  it  would  suon  part 
asunder.  The  rest  of  the  fleet,  so  far  from 
being  able  to  afford  assistance,  with  difficulty 
rode  out  the  gale.  In  this  deplorable  situation, 
as  the  only  expedient  by  which  they  could  be 
saved,  strict  order  was  maintained,  and  all 
those  people  who  best  understood  the  use  of 
tools,  instantly  employed  in  constructing  rafts 
from  spars,  plank,  and  whatever  other  materia 
als  could  be  procured.  There  happened  to  be 
on  board  a  large  quantity  of  strong  cords,  Tthc 
same  that  are  used  in  the  whale  fishery^  which, 
being  fastened  to  the  rafts,  after  the  first  had 
with  inconceivable  hazard  reached  the  shore, 
were  of  infinite  service  in  preventing  the  oth- 
ers from  driving  out  to  sea,  as  also  in  dragging 
them  athwart  the  billows  to  the  beach;  by 
which  means  every  man  was  finally  saved. 
With  the  same  presence  of  mind  to  take  ad- 
vantage of  circumstances,  and  the  same  pre- 
caution to  prevent  confusion  on  similar  occa- 
sions, how  many  valuable  lives,  prematurely 
lost,  might  have  been  preserved  as  blessings  to 
their  families,  their  friends,  and  their  country  ! 
As  soon  as  all  were  landed,  Lieutenant-Col- 
onel Putnam  fortified  his  camp,  that  he  might 
not  be  exposed  to  insult  from  the  inhabitants 
of  the  neighbouring  districts,  or  from  those  of 
Carthagena,  who  were  but  twenty-four  miles 
distant.  Here  the  party  remained  unmolested 
several  days,  until  the  storm  had  so  much 


J  * 


n 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


abated  as  to  permit  the  convoy  to  take  them 
off.  Thej  soon  joined  the  troops  before  the 
Havannah,  who,  having  been  several  weeks  in 
that  unhealthy  climate^  already  began  to  grow 
extremely  sickly.'*  The  opportune  arrival  of 
the  Provmclal  reinforcement,  in  perfect  health, 
contributed  not  a  little  to  forward  the  works, 
and  hasten  the  reduction  of  that  important 
place.  But  the  Provincials  suffered  so  misera- 
bly by  sickness  afterwards,  that  very  few  ever 
returned  to  their  native  land  again. 

Although  a  general  peace  among  the  Euro- 
pean powers  was  ratified  in  1763,  yet  the 
savages  on  our  western  frontiers  still  continu- 
ed their  hostilities.  After  they  had  taken 
several  posts.  General  Bradstreet  was  sent,  in 
1764,  with  an  army,  against  them.  Colonel 
Putnam,  then,  for  tne  first  time,  appointed  to 
the  command  of  a  regiment,  was  on  the  expedi- 
tion, as  was  the  Indian  chief  whom  I  have  sev- 
eral times  had  occasion  to  mention  as  his  cap- 
turer,  at  the  head  of  one  hundred  Cochnawaga 
warriors.  Before  Geneial  Bradstreet  reach- 
ed Detroit,  which  the  savagjes  invested.  Cap- 
tain D'Ell,  the  faithful  friend  and  intrepid  fel- 
low-soldier of  Colonel  Putnam,  had  been  slain 


•  Colonel  Hnvilnnd,  an  RCcomplislMMl  officer,  severnl  limes  men- 
tioned in  thfS'j  ni'^moirH,  wlio  broii^lu  i(»  \mi'.i<n  h  i  -  yiimiit « l 
one  thocHHiKi  Irixli  vctcrnns,  lind  but  srviutv  luni  /v:niiiiiiiiij<;  alive 
vlicn  he  loll  the  HRVunnHh.  (yoloiiel  llnvi!}<ii<l,  during  (hia  bicge, 
hnviiii^  oitce  wi'li  hiit  regimt'iit  eiign;;  d  ihmI  roiiic*  five  hundred 
6])HniHrdA,  mvt  (iohmcl  rntnHm  on  Ium  r«>tuni,  und  sind—  ••  Put- 
liHin,  give  nie  »  pimli  of  smiff."  "'I  .ever  cm  rv  mn  ,"  ritiiined 
Ptitnfiin.  "  i  h«ve  hIwuvh  jusl  ntich  liu-k  "  criod  lliiVii»nd  ;  **  the 
rRsealljr  SpaiiiarUi  have  abut  away  luy  puckcl^i  snufl'hux  and  ull." 


LIFE  OP  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


79 


in  a  desperate  sally.  He  having  been  detach- 
ed with  five  hundred  men,  in  1 763,  by  Gene- 
ral Amherst,  to  raise  the  siege,  found  means  of 
throwing  the  succour  into  the  fort.  But  the 
garrison,  commanded  bv  Major  Glad  wine,  a 
brave  and  sensible  officer,  had  been  so  much 
weakened,  by  the  lurking  and  insidious  mode 
of  war  practised  by  the  savages,  that  not  a 
man  could  be  spared  to  co-operate  in  an  at- 
tack upon  them.  The  commandant  would 
even  have  dissuaded  Captain  D'Ell  from  the 
attempt,  on  account  of  the  great  disparity  in 
numbers;  but  the  latter,  relying  on  the  disci- 
pline and  courage  of  his  men,  replied,  *'God 
"  forbid  that  1  Hhould  ever  disobey  the  orders  of 
"  my  General,'"*  and  immediately  disposed  them 
for  action.  It  was  obstinate  and  bloody ;  but 
the  vastly  superior  number  of  the  savages 
enabled  them  to  enclose  Captain  D'EII's  party 
on  every  side,  and  compellc  d  him,  finally,  to 
fight  his  way,  in  retreat  from  one  stone  house 
to  another.  Having  halted  to  breathe  a  mo- 
ment, he  saw  or)e  of  liis  bravest  sergeants  ly- 
in^  at  a  small  distance,  wounded  through  the 
thigh,  and  wallowing  in  his  blood.  Where- 
wpon  he  desired  some  of  the  men  to  run  and 
bring  the  sergeant  to  the  house,  but  they  de- 
clined it.  Then  declaring,  *'that  he  never 
'*  would  leave  so  hravi^  a  soldier  in  the  field  to 
"  be  tortured  by  the  savages,"  he  ran  and  en- 
deavourcd  to  help  him  up—at  the  instant  a 
volley  of  shot  dropped  them  both  dead  to- 
gether.    The  party  continued  rstreating  from 


w 


80 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


house  to  house  until  they  regained  the  fort ; 
where  it  was  found  the  conflict  had  been  60 
sharp,  and  lasted  so  long,  that  only  fifty  men 
remained  alive  of  the  five*  hundied  who  had 
sallied. 

Upon  the  arrival  of  General  Bradstreet,  the 
savages  saw  that  all  further  efl'orts,  in  arms, 
would  be  vain,  and  accordingly,  after  many 
fallacious  proposals  for  a  peace,  and  frequent 
tergiversations  in  the  negociation,  they  con- 
cluded a  treaty,  which  ended  the  war  in  A- 
merica. 

Colonel  Putnam,  at  the  expiration  of  ten 
years  from  his  first  receiving  a  commission, 
after  having  seen  as  much  service,  endured  as 
many  hardships,  eiu  oiintered  as  many  dangers, 
and  acquired  as  many  laurels  as  any  onicei  of  his 
rank,  with  great  satisfaction  laid  aside  his  uni- 
form, and  returned  to  his  plough.  The  various 
and  uncommon  scenes  of  war  m  which  he  had 
acted  a  respectable  part,  his  intercourse  with 
the  world,  and  intimacy  with  some  of  the  first 
characters  in  the  army,  joined  with  occasional 
reading,  had  not  only  brought  into  view  what- 
ever talents  he  possessed  from  nature,  but,  at 
the  same  time,  had  extended  his  knowledge, 
and  polibhod  his  manners,  to  a  considerable 
degree.  Not  having  become  inflated  with 
pride,  or  forgetful  of  his  old  connexions,  he 
had  the  good  fortune  to  possess  entirely  the 
good  will  of  his  fi  How  citizens.  No  character 
stood   fairer  jn   the  puUic  eye  for  integrity, 


•w:  /:'  ■■■  w 


!-* 


LIFE    OP    GENERAL    Plf^NAM. 


..^' 


81 


bravery,  and  patriotism.  He  was  employed 
in  several  offices  in  his  own  town,  and  not  un« 
frequently  elected  to  represent  it  in  the  Gene- 
ral Assembly^,  The  year  after  his  return  to 
private  life,  the  minds  of  men  were  strangely- 
agitated,  by  an  attempt  of  the  British  Parlia- 
ment to  introduce  the  memorable  Stamp  Act  in 
America.  This  germe  of  policy,  whose  growth 
was  repressed  by  the  moderate  temperature 
in  which  it  was  kept  by  some  administrations, 
did  not  fully  disclose  its  fruit  until  nearly 
eleven  years  afterwards.  All  the  world  knows 
how  it  then  ripened  into  a  civil  war.  ^W¥ 

On  the  twenty-second  day  of  March,  1765, 
the  Stamp  Act  received  the  royal  assent.  It 
was  to  take  place  in  America  on  the  first  day 
of  November  following.  This  innovation  spread 
a  sudden  and  universal  alarm.  The  political 
pulse  in  the  Provinces,  from  Maine  to  Georgia^ 
throbbed  in  sympathy.  The  Assemblies,  in 
most  of  these  colonies,  that  they  might  oppose 
it  legally  and  in  concert,  appointed  Oelegates 
to  confer  together  on  the  subject.  ^  his  first 
Congress  met,  early  in  October,  at  New- York. 
TliL'y  agreed  upon  a  Declaration  of  Rights 
and  Grievances  of  the  ColoriKS.^>;  together 
with  separate  Addresses  to  the  K»ng,  Lordtf, 
and  Cotnruons  of  Great-Britain,  in  the  mean 
time,  the  people  had  determined,  in  order  ^ 
prevent  tliu  stamped  paper  from  being  d\w^ 
tributed,  that  the  Staiup-Masters  shotmi  nA 
enter  on  the  execution  iA  their  c^e.     Ti^t 


■^tt' 


m 
I 


;i 


S2 


LIFE  OP  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


f 

111 


appointment,  in  Connecticut,  had  been  confer- 
rea  upon  Mr.  Ingersol,  a  very  dignified,  sensi- 
ble, and  learned  native  of  the  colony,  who, 
upon  being  solicited  to  resign,  did  not,  in  the 
first  instance,  give  a  satisfactory  answer.  In 
consequence  o*  which,  a  great  number  of  the 
substantial  yeomanry,  on  horseback,  furnished 
with  provisions  for  themselves,  and  provender 
for  their  horses,  assembled  in  the  eastern 
counties,  and  began  their  march  for  New- 
Haven,  to  receive  the  resignation  of  Mr.  In- 
ersol.  A  junction  with  another  body  was  to 
lave  been  formed  in  Branford.  But  having 
learned  at  Hartford,  that  Mr.  Ingersol  would 
be  in  town  the  next  day  to  claim  protection 
from  the  Assembly,  they  took  quarters  there, 
and  kept  out  patroles  during  the  whole  night, 
to  prevent  his  arrival  without  their  knowkuge. 
The  succeecmig  morning  they  resumed  their 
inarch,  and  met  Mr.  Ingersol  in  Welhirsfield, 
They  told  him  their  business,  and  he,  after 
some  little  hesitation,  mounted  on  a  round 
table,  read  his  resignation."^     That  finished, 

*  The  ouriouB  may  be  plensed  to  know  that  the  resignation  vnM 
«spreued  in  these  explicit  termi : 

WetJieraJieldt  September  ^ih,  1 765. 
*<I  do  hereby  promite,  that   I  never  will  reG('i\e   any  slam |>ed 

Kpen  which  mat  arrive  from  Europe,  in  consequence  of  un  Hct 
ely  passed  io  the  Farliameiit  of  Grcat-Rritain  ;  nor  officiittc  as 
8larop*Master  or  Distributor  of  Stamps,  witltin  the  colony  nt  Con- 
neotirut*  either  directly  or  iiidirectly.  And  1  do  hereby  notify  to 
all  tlie  inhabitants  of  his  Majesty's  colony  of  Connecticut  (noiwith* 
•Undini;  the  said  office  or  trust  has  been  conunitted  to  mr)  not  to 
Upply  to  me,  everatlter,  for  any  stamped  paper  ;  hereby  dttlating 
tMt  I  do  retign  the  »uid  ojffice,  and  execute  thete  Hrcsfnis  of 
any  own  tree  will  amp  accord,  without  any  eqtii\uc«tioa  o 
mental  reservation.  -  i 

**  la  witness  whereof  I  have  hereunto  set  my  Imnd, 

••J.  INUEPSOL.'' 


\^^,^-,..,l,^ 


';f--'i^5'f^r^.'»--''  . 


LIFE  OP  GENERAL  PUTNAM 


83 


confer- 
I,  sensi- 
^,  who, 
,  in  the 
er.     In 
[•  of  the 
irnished 
ovender 
eastern 
>r  New- 
Mr.  In- 
y  was  to 
it  having 
ol  would 
rotextion 
IS  there, 
ole  night, 
owkdge. 
lied   their 
herstield. 
he,  after 
a  round 
finished, 

;8igualion  w»» 

r  \nh,  1765. 

any  blainp*^*^ 
lite  of  a«»  "*^* 
OP  offifiute  M 
•olony  •»»  *^»»"- 
reby  nolil);  to 
icut  (iiolwilh- 
to  tut)  n«»l  to 
-eby  titclat ing 
^Btsf  Ml  *  of 


the  multitude  desired  him  to  cry  out  "  liberty 
au  I  property"  three  times  ;  which  he  did, 
and  was  answered  by  three  loud  huzzas.  He 
theii  diued  with  some  of  the  principal  men  at 
a  tavern,  by  whom  he  was  treated  with  great 
pjllteness,  and  afterwards  was  escortpu  by 
about  five  hundred  horse  to  Hartford,  where 
he  ai^ain  read  his  resignation,  amidst  the  un- 
bounded acclamations  of  the  people.  1  have 
chosen  to  style  this  collection  the  yeomanry ^ 
the  multitude^  or  the  people^  because  I  could 
not  make  use  of  the  English  word  mo6,  which 
generally  signifies  a  disorderly  concurrence  of 
the  rabble,  without  conveying  an  erroneous 
idea.  It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  add,  that  the 
people,  their  objects  being  effected,  without 
offering  disturbance,  dispersed  to  their  homes.* 
Colo.iel  Putnam,  who  instigated  th^  people 
to  these  measures,  was  pre  veiled  from  at- 
tending by  accident.  Eut  he  was  deputed 
soon  after,  with  two  other  gendemen,  to  wait 
on  Governor  Fitch  on  the  same  subject.  The 
questions  of  the  Governor,  and  answers  of  Put- 
nam, will  serve  to  indicate  the  spirit  of  the 
times.  After  some  conversation,  the  Governor 
asked,  ^»  What  he  should  do  if  the  stamped 
paper  should   be  sent  to  him  by  the  King's 

•  To  jtivc  a  trait  of  the  nrhanily  that  prevaileil,  it  nipy  not  be 
nmi«is  to  mention  h  jost  ihwt  pHssi-d  in  'he  cavalcrnle  to  Hartford, 
and  was  received  witli  the  niot^t  perfect  g(<od  hnnionr.  Mr.  In- 
Strsol,  who  hy  cIihiuh-  rodo  a  wliiir  horse,  being  nsked  "  What  he 
thought,  Jo  find  himself  aitcnded  bv  sncli  a  retinue?'* — re(>tied« 
"t!i«l  MP  had  now  »  cU-arer  idea  than  evrr  he  hail  before  coiiceiT- 
cd  of  that  paflBftgo  in  th?  rtevelationit,  which  desoi-ibea  Death  an  a 
pale  hora^t  and  hell  foUu-mng  him.** 


UEFSOL.* 


^■^;/*-"ir7'-";  ;  ■^■■„'^"'' .■''■■■Vil^\?^".' '■' 


84 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


authority  ?"  Putnam  replied,  "  lock  it  up  until 
we  shall  visit  you  again."  "  And  what  will 
you  do  then?"  "We  shall  expect  you  to  give 
us  the  key  of  the  room  in  which  it  is  deposit- 
ed ;  and,  if  you  think  fit,  in  order  to  screen 
yourself  from  hlame,  you  may  forewarn  us, 
upon  our  peril,  not  to  enter  the  room."  "And 
what  will  you  do  afterwards.'^"  "Send  it  safely 
back  again."  "But  if  I  should  refuse  admission?" 
"  In  such  a  case,  your  house  will  be  levelled 
Avith  the  duet  in  hwe  minutes."  It  was  suppos- 
ed, that  a  report  of  this  conversation  was  one 
reason  why  ibe  stamped  paper  was  never  sent 
from  New-York  to  Connecticut. 

Such  unanimity  in  the  Provincial  Assemblies, 
and  decision  in  tlie  yeomanry,  carried  beyond 
the  Atlantic  a  conviction  of  the  inexpediency 
of  attempting  to  enforce  the  new  Revenue 
System.  The  Stamp  Act  being  repealed,  and 
the  measure  in  a  manner  quieted,  Colonel 
Putnam  continued  to  labour  with  his  own 
hands, at  farming,  without  interruption,  except, 
for  a  little  time,  by  the  loss  of  the  first  joint  of 
his  right  thumb  from  one  accident,  and  the  com- 
pound fracture  of  his  right  thigh  from  another: 
that  thigh,  being  rendered  nearly  an  Inch 
shorter  than  the  left,  occasioned  him  ever  to 
limp  in  his  walk. 

The  Provincial  oflicers  and  soldiers  from 
Connecticut,  wlio  surviveu  the  conquest  of  the 
Havannah,  appointed  General  Lyman  to  re- 
ceive the  remainder  of  tho:r  prize  nioiiey,  in 
England.     A   company,  composed  partly   of 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 

military,  and  partly  of  other  gentlemen,  whose 
object  was  to  obtain  from  the  crown  a  grant 
of  land  on  the  Missii^sippi,  also  committed  to 
him  the  negociation  oi  their  affairs.  When 
several  years  had  elapsed  in  applications,  a 
grant  of  land  was  obtained.  In  1770,  General 
Lyman,  with  Colonel  Putnam,  and  two  or 
three  others,  went  to  explore  the  situation. 
After  a  tedious  voyage,  and  a  laborious  pas- 
sage up  the  Mississippi,  they  accomplished 
their  business. 

General  Lyman  came  back  to  Connecticut 
with  the  explorers,  but  soon  returned  to  the 
Natchez  :  there  formed  an  establishment  and 
laid  his  bones.  Colonel  Putnam  placed  some 
labourers  with  provisions  and  farming  utensils 
iipon  his  location ;  but  the  increasing  troubles 
shortly  after  ruined  the  prospect  of  deriving 
any  advantage  from  that  quarter. 

In  speaking  of  the  troubles  that  ensued,  I 
not  onl^r  omit  to  say  any  thing  on  the  obnox- 
ious claim  asserted  in  the  Bntisii  declaratory 
act,  the  continuation  of  the  duty  on  tea,  the- 
attempt  to  obtrude  that  article  upon  the  A- 
mericans,  the  abortion  of  this  project,  the  Bos- 
ton Port  Bill,  the  alteration  of  the  charter  of 
Massachusetts,  and  other  topics  of  universal 
notoriety ;  but  even  wave  all  discussion  of  ir- 
ritations on  the  one  part,  and  supplications  oni 
the  other,  which  preceded  the  war  betweem 
Great-Britain  and  her  colonies  on  this  conti- 
nent.    It  will  ever  be  acknowledged  by  thoaer 


w 


i^^ 


86 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


who  were  best  acquainted  with  facts,  and  it 
rhould  be  made  known  to  posterity,  that  the 
kin^  of  England  had  not,  in  his  extensive  do- 
minions, subjects  more  loyal,  more  dutiful,  or 
more  zealous  for  his  glory  than  the  Americans; 
and  that  nothing  short  of  a  melancholy  persua- 
sion, that  the  "  measures  which  for  many  years 
had  been  systematically  pursued  by  his  minis- 
ters, were  calculated  to  subvert  their  constitu- 
tions," could  have  dissolved  their  powerful 
attachment  to  that  kingdom  which  they  fondly 
called  their  parent  country.  Here,  without 
digression  to  develope  the  cause,  or  describe 
the  progress,  it  may  suffice  to  observe,  the 
dispute  now  verged  precipitately  to  an  awful 
crisis.  Most  considerate  men  foresaw  it  would 
terminate  in  blood.  But  rather  than  suffer 
the  chains,  which  they  believed  in  prepara- 
tion, to  be  rivetted,  they  nobly  determined  to 
sacrifice  their  lives.  In  vain  did  they  depre- 
cate the  infatuation  of  those  transatlantic 
counsels  which  drove  them  to  deeds  of  despe- 
ration. Convinced  of  the  rectitude  of  their 
cause,  and  doubtful  of  the  issue,  they  felt  the 
most  painful  solicitude  for  the  fate  of  tl^ir 
country,  on  contemplating  the  supeifor 
strength  of  the  nation  with  which  it  was  to 
contend.  America,  thinly  inhabited,  under 
thirteen  distinct  colonial  governments,  could 
have  little  hope  of  success,  but  from  the  pro- 
tection of  providence,  and  the  unconquerable 
spirit  of  freedom  which  pervaded  the  mass  of 


LIFE    OP   GENERAL    PUTITAM. 


87 


the  people.  It  is  true,  since  the  peace  ehe 
had  surprisingly  increased  in  wealth  and  pop- 
ulation ;  but  the  resources  of  Britain  almost 
exceeded  credibility  or  conception.  It  is  not 
wonderful,  tlien,  that  some  good  citizens,  of 
weaker  nerves,  recoiled  at  the  prospect ;  while 
others,  who  had  been  officers  in  the  late  war, 
or  who  had  witnessed,  by  travelling,  the  force 
of  Britain,  stood  aloof.  All  eyes  were  now 
turned  to  find  the  men  who,  possessed  of  mil- 
itary experience,  would  dare,  m  the  approach- 
ing hour  of  severest  trial,  to  lead  their  undis- 
ciplined fellow-citizens  to  battle.  For  none 
were  so  stupid  as  not  to  comprehend,  that 
want  of  success  would  involve  the  leaders  in 
the  punishment  of  rebellion.  Putnam  was 
among  the  first  and  most  conspicuous  who 
stepped  forth.  Although  the  Americans  had 
been,  by  many  who  wished  their  subjugation, 
indiscreetly  as  indiscriminately  stigmatized  with 
the  imputation  of  cowardice — he  felt — he  knew 
for  himself,  he  was  no  coward ;  and  from 
what  he  had  seen  and  known,  he  believed  that 
his  countrymen,  driven  to  the  extremity  of  de- 
fending their  rights  by  arms,  would  find  ao 
difficulty  in  wiping  away  the  ungenerous  as- 
persion. As  he  happened  to  be  often  at  Bos- 
ton, he  held  many  conversations,  on  these  sub- 
jects, with  General  Gage,  the  British  Com- 
mander in  Chief,  Lord  Percy,  Colonel  Sheriff, 
Colonel  Small,  and  many  officers  with  whom 
he  had  formerly  served,  who  were  now  at  the 


t8 


tlFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


■?■ 


Head-Quarters.  Being  often  questioned,  "  in 
case  the  dispute  should  proceed  to  hostilities, 
what. part  he  would  really  take?"  he  always 
answered,  "with  his  country;  and  that,  let  whatr 
ever  miglit  happen,  he  was  prepared  to  abide 
the  consequence. '  Being  interrogated, ^^wheth- 
er  he,  who  had  been  a  witness  to  the  prowess 
and  victories  of  the  British  fleets  and  armies, 
did  not  think  them  equal  to  the  conquest  of 
a  country  which  was  not  the  owner  of  a  single 
ship,  regiment,  or  magazine  ?"  he  rejoined, 
that  "he  could  only  say,  justice  would  be  on 
our  side,  and  the  event  with  providence :  but 
that  he  had  calculated,  if  it  required  six  years 
for  the  combined  forces  of  England  and  her 
colonies  to  conquer  such  a  feeble  country  as 
Canada,  it  would,  at  least,  take  a  very  long 
time  for  England  alone  to  overcome  her  own 
widely  extended  colonies,  which  were  much 
strongeit-  than  Canada :  That  when  men  fought 
for  ever^  thing  dear,  in  what  they  believed  to 
be;  the  most  sacred  of  all  causes,  and  in  their 
own  native  land,  they  would  have  great  ad- 
vantages over  their  enemies  who  were  not  in 
the  same  situation;  and  that,  having  taken 
into  view  all  circumstances,  for  his  own  part^ 
he  fully  believed  that  America  would  not  be 
so  easily  conquered  by  England  as  those  gen- 
tlemen seemed  to  expect."  Being  once,  in 
particular,  asked,  "  whether  he  did  not  seri- 
ously believe  that  a  well  appointed  British 
army  of  five  thousand  veterans  could  march. 


.\ 


^•-.-TtiT'.T'y 


■■f        1  f^'-nn 


.  .  ,  ,^  , 


r 


LIFE  OP  GENERAL  PUTNAM.  ^(R   89 

through  the  whole  continent  of  America  ?"  he 
replied  briskly,  "  no  doubl;,  if  they  behaved 
civilly,  and  paid  well  for  every  thing  they 
wanted  ;— but" — after  a  moment's  pause  add- 
ed— "  if  they  should  attempt  it  in  a  hostile 
maimer  (though  the  American  men  were  out 
of  the  question)  the  women,  with  their  ladles 
and  broomsticks,  would  knock  them  all  on  the 
head  before  they  had  got  half  way  through." 
This  was  the  tenor,  our  hero  h^*h  often  told 
mo,  of  these  amicable  intervic  md  thus,  as  . 
it  commonly  happens  in  dispu  .,i  it j future 

events  which  depend  on  opinio  jy  parted 

without  conviction, no  more  to  meet  in  afriendlj 
manner,  until  after  the  appeal  should  have 
been  made  to  Heaven,  and  the  issue  confirmed 
by  the  sword.  In  the  .mean  time,  to  provide 
against  the  worst  contingency,  the  militia  in 
the  several  colonies  was  sedulously  trained ; 
and  those  select  companies,  the  flower  of  our 
youth,  which  were  denominated  minutemen, 
agreeably  to  the  indication  of  their  name,  held 
themselves  in  readiness  to  march  at  a  mo- 
ment's warning. 

At  length  the  fatal  day  arrived,  when  hos- 
tilities commenced.  General  Gage,  in  the 
evening  of  the  1 8th  of  April,  1775,  detached 


stroy  some  military 
other  stores  deposited  by  the  province  at  Con- 
cord.    About  sunrise  the  next  morning,  the 


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90       '^'  LIFE   OF   GENERAL   PI^TNAM. 

■■,«■' 

detachment^  on  marching  into  Lexington,  fired 
upon  a  companj  of  militia  who  haa  just  re- 
aneemble^  for  havirg  been  alarmed  late  at 
night,  witb  reports  that  the  regulars  wc|^  ad* 
vandng  to  demolish  the  stores,  they  collected 
on  their  parade,  and  were  dismissed  with  or- 
ders to  reassemble  at  beat  of  drum.  It  if  es- 
tablished by  the  affidavits  of  more  than  thirtj 
persons  who  were  present,  that  the  first  fire^ 
which  killed  eight  of  the  militia,  then  begin- 
ning to  disperse,  was  given  by  the  British, 
without  provocation.  The  spark  of  war,  thus 
kindled,  ran  with  unexampled  rapidity,  and 
raged  with  unwonted  vioietice.  To  repel  the 
aggression,  the  people  of  the  bordering  towns^ 
spontaneously  rushed  to  arms,  and  poured  their 
scattering  shot  from  every  convenient  station 
upon  the  regulars,  who,  after  marching  to 
Cfoncord,  and  destroying  the  magazine,  would 
have  found  their  retreat  intercepted,  had  they 
not  been  reinforced  by  Lord  Percy,  with  the 
battalion  companies  of  three  regiments,  and  a 
body  of  marines.  Notwithstanding  the  junc- 
tion, they  were  hard  pushed^bnd  pursued 
until  they  could  find  protection  from  their 
ships.  Of  the  British,  two  hundred  and  eighty- 
three  were  killed,  wounded,  and  taken.  The 
Americans  had  thirty-nine  killed,  nineteen 
wounded,  arid  two  made   prisoners. 

Nothing  could  exceed  the  celerity  Willi 
which  the  intelligence  flew  every  where,  that 
blood  had  been  shed  by  the  British  troops. 
The  country,  in  motion,  exhibited  but  one 


% 


LIFE    OF   GENERAL   PITTNAM. 


.*^ 


scene  of  hurrj,  preparation  and  revenge.  Put 
nam,  who  was  plowing  when  he^j^ard  thc| 
news,  left  his  plough  in  the  middle  of  the  field, 
unyoked  his  team,  and  without  waiting  to 
change  his  clothes,  set  oif  for  the  theatre  of 
action.  But  finding  the  British  retreated  to 
Boston,  and  invested  by  a  sufficient  force  to 
watch  their  movements,  he  came  back  to 
Connecticut,*  levied  a  re/g^iment,  under  au* 
thoritj  of  the  legislature,  and  speedily  return- 
ed to  Cambridge.f  He  was  now  promoted 
to  be  a  Major-General  on  the  Provincial  stall. 


*  General  Putnam  wa»  abient  only  one  week  from  the  anny  at 
Cambridge ;  and  then,  for  the  purpose  of  consultation  with  the 
Legitlalure  of  Conneetieut,  at  that  time  in  session ;  and  at  the  |>ar- 
tieular  request  of  that  body  Havinr  assisted  by  hin  adviee  in  the 
.  organixation  of  a  military  foree  for  tne  rampaign  of  177f,  he  re* 
turned  Immediately  to  the  Army  before  Boston,  leatiing  ordera  for 
the  troops  to  follow  with  as  little  delay  as  possible,  alter  the  mea 
oould  be  enlisted     rEditor.J 

f  An  artKle,  void  oi  foundation,  mentioning  an  interview  be- 
tween General  Gage  and  General  Putnam,  appeared  in  the  Knglish 
GaMttes  in  these  words:  '  General  Gage,  viewing  the  Ameneaa 
army  with  his  teleseope,  saw  General  Putnam  in  it,  whieh  surpris- 
ed him  I  and  he  eontrived  to  get  a  message  de'>ivered  to  him,  that 
be  wanted  to  spe^k  to  him.  Putnam,  without  any  hesiution,  wwit- 
«d  upon  bim.  GeMyml  Ga^  showed  him  his  fortifications,  and 
advised  him  to  lajShyn  his  arms.  General  Putnam  replied,  ha 
oould  foree  hia  fr)rtllk>ations  in  half  an  hour,  and  advhed  General 
Oaie  to  go  on  board  the  ships  with  his  ti*oops' 

The  apprehensioik  of  an  attack  is  adduced  with  much  more  veri- 
•tmilituac  In  M^Fingal,  as  the  reason  why  General  C>  ige  would  not 
MfTer  the  inhabitants  to  go  A*om  the  town  of  Boston,  after  he  bai 
promised  to  grant  permission  : 

'  So  Gage  of  late  agreed,  you  know. 

To  let  the  Boston  m  (iple  go  : 

Yet  when  he  aaw,  'gainst  troops  tkat  brav'd  Mb^ 
mL         They  vera  Uie  only  guards  tliat  aeTMJblm, 
^^        Kept  off  tket  Saun  of  a  PuAuMh 

From  breaking  In  te  cnaut  and  mtlttVhlaa,  ^^ 

He'd  top  nroeh  wit  such  leaguea  t'  ohaervot  ^ 

Aad  that  them  in  again  to  starve.' 
^^  Jd*FiM04i..   Canltt. 


%: 


W 


*H 


92 


LIFE   OF   GENERAL   PUTNAM. 


bf  his  coipny ;  and,  in  a  Ihtle  time,  confirmeid 
bj  CoDgtms,  in  the  same  rank  on  the  Conti- 
nental establishment.  General  Ward,  of  Mas- 
sachusetts, hj  common  consent,  commanded 
the  whole ;  and  the .  celebrated  Dr.  Warren 
was  made  a  Major-General. 

Not  long  after  this  period,  the  British  Com- 
mander in  Chief  found  the  means  to  convey  a 
proposal,  privately,  to  General  Putnam,  that 
if  he  wou^d  relinauish  the  rebel  party,  he 
might  rely  upon  being  knade  a  Major-General 
on  the  British  establishment,  and  receiving  a 
great  pecuniary  compensation  for  his  services. 
General  Putnam  spurned  at  the  offer;  which, 
however,  he  thought  prudent  at  that  time  to 
conceal  from  public  notice. 

It  could  scarcely  have  been  expected,  but 
by  those  credulous  patriots  who  were  prone 
to  believe  whatever  they  ardently  desired,  that 
officers  assembled  from  colonics  distinct  in 
their  manners  and  prejudices,  selected  from 
laborious  occupations,  to  command  a  hetero- 

feneous  crowd  of  their  ec*^lii@|orapelled  to 
e  soldiers  only  by  the  spui  o^sion,  should 
)opg  be  able  to  preserve  harmony  among 
tl^lDselves,  and  subordination  among  their 
followers.  Af  the  fact  ijfould  be  a  phenome- 
D01I9  ^^  jj^  WMs  tmied  ivit|i  mirflh  ind 

||siiik|o  emjt^  of  a  piliffl  ^ 
eorpif  ^omfofsaM  militia,  minntemeihYOfun- 
te«|ii^pi|i  Imm^Miib  %  burJkique  appearance 


% 


* 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


of  multiformity  in  arms,  accoutrements,  cloath-' 
ing  and  conduct,  at  last  grew  into  a  regular 
army — an  army  which,  having  vindicated  the 
rights  of  human  nature,  and  established  the 
independence  of  a  new  empire,  merited  and 
obtamed  the  glorious  distinction  of  the  patriot 
army — the  patriot  army,  whose  praises  for 
their  fortitude  in  adversity,  bravery  in  battle, 
moderation  in  conquest,  perseverance  in  sup- 
porting the  cruel  extremities  of  hunger  and 
nakedness  without  a  murmur  or  sigh,  as  well 
as  for  their  magnanimity  in  retiring  to  civil 
life,  at  the  moment  of  victory,  with  arms  in 
their  hands,  and  without  any  just  compensa- 
tion for  their  services,  will  only  cease  to  be 
celebrated  when  time  shall  exist  no  more. 

Enthusiasm  for  the  cause  of  liberty,  substi- 
tuted in  the  place  of  discipline,  not  only  kept 
these  troops  together,  but  enabled  them  at 
once  to  perform  the  duties  of  a  disciplined 
army.  Thougn  the  commanding  officers  from 
the  four  colonies  of  New-England  were  in  a 
manner  independent,  they  acted  harmoniouslj 
in  concert.  The  first  attention  had  been  pru- 
dently directed  towards  forming  some  little 
redoubts  and  intrenchments ;  for  it  Was  well 
known  that  lines,  however  slight  or  untena- 
ble, were  calculated  to  inspire  raw  soldiers 
with  a  confidence  in  themselves.  The  next 
care  was  to  bring  the  live  stock  from  the  isl- 
ands in  Boston  bay,  in  order  to  prevent  the 
enemy  (already  surrounded  by  land,)  from 


•■* 


^ 


I 

^ 


*        • 


'^M 


tPR* 


% 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


making  use  of  them  for  fresh  provisions.  In 
the  latter  end  of  May,  between  two  and  three 
hundred  men  were  sent  to  drive  off  the  stock 
from  Hog  and  Noddle  islands,  which  are  situ- 
ated on  the  north-east  side  of  Boston  harbour. 
Advantage  having  been  taken  of  the  ebb-tide^ 
when  the  water  is  fordable  between  the  main 
and  Ho^  island,  as  it  is  between  that  and 
Noddle-island,  the  design  was  effected.  But 
a  skirmish  ensued,  in  which  some  of  the  ma- 
rines, who  had  been  stationed  to  guard  them, 
were  killed :  and  as  the  firing  continued  be- 
tween the  British  water-craft  and  our  party, 
a  reinforcement  of  three  hundred  men,  with 
two  pieces  of  artillery,  was  ordered  to  join  the  i 
latter.  General  Putnam  took  the  command, 
and  having  himself  gone  down  on  the  beach, 
within  conversing  distance,  and  ineffectucd' 
ly  ordered  the  people  on  board  an  arm- 
ed schooner  to  strike,  he  plied  her  with 
shot  so  furiously  that  the  crew  made  their 
escape,  and  the  vessel  was  burnt.  An 
armed  sloop  was  likewise  so  much  disabled  as 
to  be  towed  off  by  the  boats  of  the  fleet. 
Thus  ended  this  affair,  in  which  several  hun- 
dred sheep,  and  some  cattle  were  removed 
from  under  the  muzzles  of  the  enemy's  cannon, 
and  our  men,  accustomed  to  stand  fire,  by 
being  for  many  hours  exposed  to  it,  without 
meeting  with  $iny  loss. 

The  Provincial  Generals  having  received 
advice  that  the  British  Commander  id  Chief 
designed  to  take  possession  of  the  heights  on 


1^ 


i 


;..*, 


L9FC!    OF 'GENERAL   PUTNAM. 


•    **-■ 


95 


the  peninsula  of  Charlestown,  detached  a 
thousand  men  in  the  night  of  the  16th  of  June, 
under  the  orders  of  General  Warren,  to  in- 
trench themselves  upon  one  of  these  eminen- 
ces, named  Bunker-Hill.  Though  retarded 
by  accidents^  from  beginning  the  work  until 
nearly  midnight,  yet,  by  dawn  of  day,  they 
had  constructed  a  redoubt  about  eight  rodp 
square,  and  commenced  a  breast- work  from 
the  left  to  the  low  grounds ;  which  an  insuf- 
ferable fire  from  the  shipping,  floating  batten 
ries,  and  cannon  on  Copp's  Hill,  in  Boston, 
prevented  them  from  completing.  At  mid-day 
four  battalions  of  foot,  ten  companies  of  grena- 
diers, ten  companies  of  light-mfantry,  with  a 
proportion  of  artillery,  commanded  by  Major^ 
General  Howe,  landed  under  a  heavy  cannon- 
ade from  the  ships,  and  advanced  in  three 
lines  to  the  attack.  The  light-infantry  being 
formed  on  the  right,  was  directed  to  turn  the 
left  flank  of  the  Americans ;  and  the  grena- 
diers, supported  by  two  battalions,  to  storm 
the  redoubt  in  front.  Meanwhile,  on  applica- 
tion, these  troops  were  augmented  hj  the 
47th  regiment,  the  1st  battalion  of  marines, 
together  with  some  companies  of  light-infan- 
try and  grenadiers,  which  formed  an  aggre- 
gate force  of  between  two  and  three  thousand 
men.^     But  so  difficult  was  it  to  reinforce  the 


*  The  preceding  paragraph  waa  copied  from  a  British  ReBister, 
beinv  the  English  account  of  the  troops  sent  to  the  attack  of  Bun- 
kcr*Hill,  and  the  disposition  of  those  troops.  This  account,  and 
oihcri,  published  at  the  time,  and  ascribiog  the  oomnaod  (tf  th)» 


■»,v 


-*   .v^-. 


96 


LIFE   OF   GBNERAIr  PUTNAM. 


Americans,  bj  sending  detachments  across  the 
Neck,  which  was  raked  by  the  cannon  of  the 
shipping,  that  not  more  than  fifteen  hundred 
men  w^e  brought  into  action.  Few  instan- 
ces can' be  produced  in  the  annals  of  mankind, 
where  soldiers,  who  never  had  before  faced  an 
enemy,  or  heard  the  whistling  of  a  ball,  be- 
liavea  with  such  deliberate  and  persevering 
Talour.  It  was  not  until  after  the  grenadiers 
had  been  twice  repulsed  to  their  boats.  Gene- 
ral Warren  slain,  his  troops  exhausted  of  their 
ammunition,  their  lines  in  a  manner  enfiladed 
bj  artillery,  and  the  redoubt  half  filled  with 
British  regulars,  that  the  word  was  given  to 
retire.  In  that  forlorn  condition,  the  specta4 
cle  was  astonishing  as  new,  to  behold  these 
undisciplined  men,  most  of  them  without  bayo- 
nets, disputing  with  the  but-end  of  their  mus- 
kets agamst  the  British  bayonet,  and  receding 
in  sullen  despair.  Still  the  light-infantry  on 
their  left  would  certainly  have  gained  their 
rear,  and  exterminated  this  gallant  corps,  had 
not  a  body  of  four  hundred  Connecticut  men, 
with  the  Captains  Knowlton  and  Chester,  af- 
ter forming  a  temporary  breast-work,  by  pull- 
ing up  one  post-and-rail  fence  and  putting 
it  upon  another,  performed  prodigies  ofbrave- 
ry.  They  held  the  enemy  at  bay  until  the 
main  body  had  relinquished  the  heights,  and 
then  retreated  across  the  Neck  with  more 
regularity,  and  less  loss,  than  could  have  been 

American  force  to  Warren,  xtrohMj  occasioned  the  histbrical  er- 
ror on  that  subject.    CJCditor.J 


^ 


h'   4^ 


fT»- 


* 


■■%-,■ 

XIFE   OF   GfiN2RAL   PUTNAM. 


9f 


expected.     The  British,  who  effected  nothing 
but    the  destruction    of  Charlestown   by  a 
wanton  conflagration,  had  more  than  one  half 
of  their  whole  number  killed  and  wounded : 
the  Americans  only  three  hundred  aiid  Mtjj^ 
dye  killed,  wounded,  and  missing.     In  this 
battle,  the  presence  and  example  of  General 
Putnam,  who  arriyed  with  the  reinforcement, 
were  not  less  conspicuous  than  useful.     He 
did  every  thing  that  an  intrepid  and  experien«- 
ced  officer  could  accomplish.      The   enemj 
pursued    to    Winter-Hill — Putnam    made   a 
stand,  and  drove  them  back  tinder  cover  of 
their  ships.*     ^■■' ^  "■■-  ■•^  ^  ■■■■■i-'-^'wm-mtfffmmm- 
The  premature  death  of  Warren,  one  of 
the  most  illustrious  patriots  that  ever  bled  in 
the  cause  of  freedom ;  the  veteran  appearance 
of  Putnam,  collected,  yet  ardent  in  action ;  to- 
gether with  the  astonishing  scenery  and  inter- 
esting groupe  around  Bunker-Hill,  rendered' 
tliis  a  magnificent  subject  for  the  historic  pen- 
cil.   Accordingly  Trumbull,  formerly  an  Aid- 
de-Camp  to  General  Washington,  afterwards- 
Deputy- Adjutant-General  of  the  north  rri  ar- 
my, now  an  artist  of  great  celebrity  in  £ui  ope,, 
hath  finished  this  picture  with  that  boldnesa^^ 

*  Such  was  the  atatement  made  in  some  American  news«paper» 
oF  that  da.r,  but  without  any  foundation  in  fact.  There  was  no* 
pursuit  of  the  British  beyond  Bunker>Hill ;  but  General  Putnam, 
with  most  of  the  rtilreHtiitg;  troops  took  post  on  Prospeot-Hill,  and* 
being  joined  by  others  which  had  not  been  in  action  began  an  en- 
trenchinenty  and  the  next  morning*  presented  to  the  enemy  anoth-^ 
er  line  of  defeno'e,  vnuttily  formidable  with  that  which  had  been^ 
yurchaied  tho  prcc*iding  day,  at  the  ei^eneeof  so  much  blood. 

a* 


r^ 


■§' 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAMr 


of  conception,  and  those  touches  of  art  which 
demonstrate  the  master.  Heightened  in  hor- 
ror by  the  flames  of  a  burning  town,  and  the 
smoke  of  conflicting  armies,  the  principal 
scene,  taken  the  moment  when  Warren  fell, 
represents  that  hero  in  the  agonies  of  death, 
a  grenadier  on  the  point  of  bayoneting  him, 
and  Colonel  Small,  to  whom  he  was  familiarly 
known,  arresting  the  soldier's  arms;  at  the 
head  of  the  British  line.  Major  Pitcairne  is  seen 
falling  dead  into  the  arms  of  his  son ;  and  not 
far  distant  General  Putnam  is-  placed  at  the 
rear  of  our  retreating  troops,  in  the  light  blue 
and  scarlet  uniform  he  wore  that  day,  with 
his  head  uncovered,  and  his  sword  waving  to4 
wards  the  enemy,  as  it  were  to  stop  their  im* 
petuous  pursuit.  In  nearly  the  same  attitude 
tie  is  exnibited  by  Barlow  in  that  excellent 
poem,  the  Vision  of  Columbus. 

*«  There  strides  bold  Putnam,  and  from  all  the  plains 
Calls  the  third  host,  the  tardy  rear  sustains. 
And,  'mid  the  whizzing  deaths  that  fill  the  air. 
Waves  back  his  sword,  and  dares  the  following  war.*** 


*  The  writer  of  this  Essay  had  occasion  oT  remarking  to  the 
j»oet  i|nd  the  painter,  while  they  were  three  thousand  miles  distant 
from  eaeh  other,  at  which  distance  they  had  formed  and  executed 
the  plans  of  their  respective  productions,  the  similarity  observable 
in  their  deseriptions  of  General  Putnam.  These  Chiefs  tTauvrcB 
are  Mentioned  not  with  a  vain  presumption  of  adding  eclat  of  du* 
ration  to  works  whieh  have  received  the  seal  of  immortality,  but 
beeause  they  preserve,  in  the  sister  arts,  the  same  illustrious  action 
of  our  hero.  I  persuade  myself  I  need  not  apologize  for  annexing 
the  beautiful  lines  from  the  poem  in  question,  on  the  death  of 
General  Warren. 

■*  .  . .  ; "'  \."N. 

.    "  There,  hapless  Warren,  thy  cold  earth  was  seen  : 
,1     There  spring  toy  laurels  io  immortal  green  i 


■^^s 


■'# 


#. 


^jonsi 


OF   GENERAL   PUTK^M. 


91 


'^  After  this  action]  the  British  Urongly  forti- 
fied themselves  on  the  peninsulas  of  Boston 
and  Charlestown ;  wKlle  the  Provincials  re- 
mained posted^  in  the  circumjacent  country  in 
such  a  manner  as  to  form  a  blockade.  In  the 
beginning  of  July,  General  Washington,  who 
had  been  constituted  by  Congress,  Command- 
er in  Chief  of  the  American  forces,  arrived  at 
Cambridge,  to  take  the  command.  Having 
formed  the  army  into  three  grand  divisions, 
consisting  of  about  twelve  regiments  each,  he 
appointed  Major-General  Ward  to  command 
the  right  wing,  Major-General  Lee  the  left 
wing,  and  Major-General  Putnam  the  reserve. 
General  Putnam's  alertness  in  accelerating  the 
construction  of  the  necessary  defences  was 
particularly  noticed  and  highly  approved  by 
the  Commander  in  Chief*  ^^  ^rv^<^v;h*w^  ^fffe*^^ 
^bout  the  20th  of  July,  the  declaration  of 


-l;-^- 


Dearest  oF  Chiefs  that  evfr  fircss'd  the  p1ain«  <^^2 
In  freedom's  cause,  with  early  honours,  slain, 


'5*^' 


'i  V- 


s'.;M-!afeM,ii' 


:m 


■i 


f't 


s.^' 


And  onborn  realms  resound  th'  immortal  iiame."if i^|t;*sr ;•'■; 


*  JVashing'ton  and  Putnam  were  unknown  to  each  other 'till 
they  met  at  Cambridge.  The  open,  undisguised  frankness  of  tb« 
latter,  together  with  his  great  activity  and  personal  industry,  in 
every  thing  pertaiDin|^  to  the  array,  soon  attracted  the  attention  of 
the  former;  an  early  intimaoy  was  formed,  and  a  firm  friendship 
established,,  which  continued  undisturbed  during  the  whole  period 
they  were  associated  iu  service.  It  was  not  in  Putnam's  nature  to 
be  idle :  inured  to  habits  of  industry  himself,  no  man  was  betttr 
calculated  to  make  others  so ;  and  Washington  observing  the  great 
progress  that  had  been  made  in  a  short  time,  and  with  but  few 
men,  in  raising  &  work  of  defence,  said  to  him— <*  you  seem  to 
have  the  faculty  General  Putnam, of  infusingyour owniDdttitriou* 
spirit  into  all  the  workmen  you  employ.    (Editor.  J 


i>: 


■J^^ 


'S* 


100 


I.1FE  OF  GENERAL   PUTNABI^ 


t  ■'^- 


f. 


li:. 


Congress,  setting  forth  tHe  reasons  of  their 
taking  up  arms,  was  proclaimed  at  the  head 
of  the  several  divisions.  It  concluded  with 
these  patriptic  and  noble  Esntiments :  ^^  In  our 
own  native  land,  in  defence  of  the  freedom  that 
is  our  birth-rightf  and  which  we  ever  enjojed 
until  the  late  violation  of  it ;  for  the  protection 
of  our  property,  acquired  solely  by  the  honest 
industry  of  our  forefathers  and  ourselves; 
against  violence  actually  offered,  we  have  tak- 
en up  arms.  We  shall  lay  them  down  when 
hostilities  shall  cease  on  the  part  of  the  ag- 
gressors, and  all  danger  of  their  being  renew- 
ed shall  be  removed,  and  not  before. 

"  With  an  humble  confidence  in  the  mercies 
of  the  supreme  and  impartial  Judge  and  Ruler 
of  the  universe,  we  most  devoutly  implore  his 
divine  goodness  to  conduct  us  happily  through 
this  great  conflict,  to  dispose  our  adversaries 
to  reconciliation  on  reasonable  terms,  and^ 
thereby,  to  relieve  the  en^pire  from  the  calami- 
ties of  ciyil  war."  .v.tAi?^.'.^^^::,.^,,,.,;,,.^ ,  .■.■^m.di-:-. 
As  sooh  as  these  memorable  words  were 
pronounced  to  General  Putnam's  -division, 
which  he  had  ordered  to  be  paraded  on  Pros- 
pect-Hill, they  shouted  in  three  huzzas  aloud^ 
Amen !  whereat  (a  cannon  from  the  fort  being 
fired  as  a  signal)  the  new  Standard  lately  s^nt 
from  Coctnecticut,  was  suddenly  seen  to  rise 
and  unrol  itself  to  the  wind.  On  one  side  was 
inscribed,  in  large  letters  of  gold,  "  An  appeal 


TO  HEAVEN/'  and  on  the  other  were  dehneated 
the  armorial  bearings  of  Connecticut,  which^ 


■  ^''-^  ■&=-.■">■'.>;■.  _r_!Vfr.i^^ 


^%^ 


UFB  or  QftflERAL  PVTNA^ 


IQl 


■m^ 


without  supporters  or  crest,  consist,  unosten- 
tatiously, 01  three  Vines;  with  this  motto,  ^^  Qti» 
transtulity  susiinei;^  alluding  to  the  pious  con- 
fidence our  forefathers  placed  in  the  protec- 
tion of  Heaven,  on  those  three  allegorical 

gcionS-^KNOWLBDOE  — LfBERTY RELIGION 

which  they  had  been  .instrumental  in  trans- 
planting to  America. 

The  strength  of  position  on  the  enemy's 
part,  and  want  of  ammunition  on  our^s,  pre- 
vented operations  of  magnitude  from  being 
attempted*  Such  diligence  was  used  in  forti- 
fying our  camps,  and  such  precaution  adopted 
to  prevent  surprise,  as  to  ensure  tranquillity 
to  the  troops  during  the  winter.  In  the  spring, 
a  position  was  taken  so  menacing  to  the  ene- 
my, as  to  cause  them,  on  the  I7th  of  March, 
1776,  to  abandon  Boston,  not  without  consid- 
erable precipitation  and  dereliction  of  royal 
stores.t  - .  ^4  ■^'-■^.Mr 

*  Literallyi  ••//<?  who  transplanted  them  -will  auppott  them.^'* 

t  III  the  expcolntlon  that  the  flower  of  the  British  troops  would 
be  employed  np;Rin>t  the  Heights  of  Dorchester,  (which  had  been 
taken  posseigion  of  by  the  Americans  on  the  night  of  the  4th  of 
March,  ^7^6,)  General  Washington  had  concerted  apian  for  avail- 
ing himself  of  tltnt  ocoaiion,  to  attack  the  towa  of  Boston  itself. 
Four  thousiind  ohoien  men  were  held  in  rea(l^ness  to  embark  at 
the  mouth  of  Cambridge  river,  on  a  signal  to  be  given  if  the  garri- 
son sliould  appear  to  bo  so  weakened  by  the  detachment  made 
from  it  uu  to  justifV  an  assault.  These  troops  were  to  embark  in 
two  division!,  tht  first  to  be  led  by  Brigadier-General  Suilivan.  the 
second  bv  Brigadier-General  Green,  and  thewliole  to  be  undu' the 
coramnnu  of  ATRJor-Genoral  Putnam.  The  boats  were  to  be  pilced- 
ed  by  three  floating  bntterics,whloh  were  to  keep  up  a  heavy  fire  on 
that  part  of  the  town  wliere  the  troops  were  to  land.  It  was  pro* 
posed  that  the  lirst  division  should  land  at  the  powder-house,  and 
gain  possession  of  Reaonn  Hill ;  the  second  at  Barton's  Point,  or  a 
little  south  of  it,  an'd  after  scouring  that  post,  to  join  the  other  divi- 
sion, force  the  enemy's  works,  and  open  the  gates  in  order  to  give 
admission  to  the  troops  from  Ho-\bury.    C Editor.  J 


m 


m^ 


.^}*.i^tM^ 


102 


LIFE    OF   GENERAL    PUTNAM. 


Xr 


.■*>*■' 


% 


>^  As  a  part  of  the  hostile  fleet  lingered  for 
some  time  in  Nantasket-Road,  about  nine 
miles  below  Boston,  General  Washington  con- 
tinued himself  in  Boston,  not  only  to  see  the 
coast  entirely  clear,  but  also  to  make  many 
indispensable  arrangements.  His  Excellency, 
proposing  to  leave  Major-General  Ward,  with 
a  (ew  regiments,  to  finish  the  fortifications  in- 
tended as  a  security  against  an  attack  by 
water,  in  the  mean  time  despatched  the  great- 
er part  of  the  army  to  New- Fork,  where  it 
was  most  probable  the  enemy  would  make  a 
descent.  Upon  the  sailing  of  a  fleet  with 
troops  in  the  month  of  JanLary,  Major-General 
Lee  had  been  sent  to  the  defence  of  that  city ; 
who,  after  having  caused  some  works  to  be 
laid  out,  proceeded  to  foil  ^  that  fleet  to 
iSouth-Carolina.  The  Commander  in  Chief 
was  now  exceedingly  solicitous  that  these 
wprks  should  be  completed  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible, and  accordingly  gave  the  following 

"  Orders  and  Instructions  for  Major-General 

Putnam, 

"As  there  are  the  best  reasons  to  believe 
that  the  enemy's  fleet  and  army,  which  left 
Nantasket-Road  last  Wednesday  evening,  are 
bound  to  Now-York,  to  endeavour  to  possess 
that  important  post,  and,  if  possible,  to  secure 
the  communication  by  Hudson's  river  to  Can- 
ada, it  must  be  our  care  to  prevent  them  from 
accomplishing  their  designs.    To  that  end  I 


t?', 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


103 


have  detached  Brigadier-General  Heath,  with 
the  whole  hodj  of  riflemen,  and  five  battalions 
of  the  Continental  armj,  by  the  way  of  Nor- 
wich, in  Connecticut,  to  New-York.  These, 
by  an  express  arrived  yesterday  from  General 
Heath,  I  have  reason  to  believe,  are  in  New- 
York.  Six  more  battalions,  under  General 
Sullivan,  march  this  morning  by  the  same 
route,  and  will,  I  hope,  arrive  there  in  eight 
or  ten  days  at  farthest.  The  rest  of  the 
army  will  immediately  follow  in  divisions,  leav- 
ing only  a  convenient  space  between  each  di- 
vision, to  prevent  confusion,  and  want  of  ac- 
commodation upon  their  march.  You  will,  no 
doubt,  make  the  best  despatch  in  getting  to 
New- York.  Upon  your  arrival  there,  you 
will  assume  the  command,  and  immediately 
proceed  in  continuing  to  execute  the  plan 
proposed  by  Major-General  Lee,  for  fortifying 
that  city,  and  securing  the  passes  of  the  East 
and  North  rivers.  If;  upon  consultation  with 
the  Brigadiers  General  and  Engineers,  any  al- 
teration in  that  plan  is  thought  necessary,  you 
are  at  liberty  to  make  it :  cautiously  avoiding 
to  break  in  too  much  upon  his  main  design, 
unless  where  it  may  be  apparently  necessary 
so  to  do,  and  that  by  the  general  voice  and 
opinion  of  the  gentlemen  above-mentioned. 

"You  will  meet  the  Quarter-Master-Gene- 
ral, Colonel  Mifflin,  and  Commissary-General,"^ 

*  Colonel  Joseph  .TrumbuUi  eldest  sun  to  the  Governor  of  thftt 


^'  .. 


."W.. 


^1 


U 


/t^A 


r 


]04 


LIFE   OF   GENERAL   FUTNAM. 


'*ih.. 


at  New-York.  As  these  are  both  men  of  ex- 
cellent talents  in  their  different  departments, 
jou  will  do  well  to  give  them  all  the  authority 
and  assistance  they  require  :  And  should  a 
council  of  war  be  necessary,  it  is  my  direction 
they  assist  at  it. 

*'  Your  long  service  and  experience  will,  better 
than  my  particular  directions  at  this  distance, 
point  out  to  you  the  works  most  proper  to 
be  first  raised  ;  and  your  perseverance,  activ* 
ity,  and  zeal  will  lead  you,  without  my  recom- 
mending It,  to  exert  every  nerve  to  disappoint 
the  enemy's  designs.  ^  ,4 

"  Devoutly  praying  that  the  power  which 
has  hitherto  sustained  the  American  arms,  may 
continue  to  bless  them  with  the  divine  pro- 
tection, I  bid  ybu — farewell. 

"Given  at  Head-Quarters,  in  Cambridge, 
this  twenty-ninth  of  March,  1776. 
V  ^i  . '  .  ^^'        ■•   .      «G.  Washington.'* 

Invested  with  these  commands.  General 
Putnam  travelled  by  long  and  expeditious 
stages  te  New- York.  His  first  precaution, 
upon  his  arrival,  was  to  prevent  disturbance, 
or  surprise  in  the  night  season.  With  those 
objects  in  view,  after  posting  the  necessary 
guards,  be  issued  his  orders.'*''     He  institutcJ, 


•'0- 


general  ORDER!). 


if^ji 


'*'   .^, 


-'% 


^  '      -'  •*M»ad-Quarter8»  J^e-w-Y»rk,  April  5,  ir7«. 

"The  aoldlera  »re  Birictly  enjoined  to  retire  to  their  b»ii'ii'k« 
•nd  quarters  at  tuttoo-bcatiug,  and  to  remain  there  ui^til  the  rf* 
veille  is  beat. 


.^.„.. 


'% 


*:■-! 


LIFB   OF  GENERAL   PUTNAM. 


105 


likewise,  other  wholesome  regulations  to  me^ 
liorate  the  po^lice  of  the  troops,  and  to  pre- 
serve the  ^:  J  agreement  that  subsisted  be* 
tween  them  and  tne  citizens. 

Notwithstanding  the  war  had  now  raged, 
in  other  parts,  with  unaccustomed  severity  for 
nearly  a  jear,  yet  the  British  ships  at  New- 
York,  one  of  which  had  once  fired  upon  the 
town  to  intimidate  the  inhabitants,  found  the 
means  of  being  supplied  with  fresh  water  and 
provisions.  Genera!"  Putnam  resolved  to  adopt 
effectual  measures  for  putting  a  period  to  this 
intercourse,  and  accordingly  expressed  his 
prohibition"^  in  the  most  pointed  terms. 

Nearly  at  the  same  moment,  a*  detachment 
of  a  thousand  Continentals  was  sent  to  oc« 
cupy  Governor's  Island,  a  regiment  to  fortify 
Red  Hook,  and  some  companies  of  riflemen 

*'  Necessity  obliges  the  General  to  desire  the  inhabitants  of  the 
oity  to  observe  the  same  ri^le,  as  no  person  will  be  |)ertnitted  to 
puss  any  sentry  ufter  this  night  wi^xmt  the  countersign. 

"  The  inhabitants*  whose  business  re«|uire  it,  may  know  the 
countersign,  by  applying  to  any  of  the  Brigade-Majors." 

•  PROiiimrioN.  i  jr 

Head-Quartera.  JWw- Forfc,  Jprii  $.  \776. 
'*The  General  informs  the  itih-tbiiants,  that  it  is  becon^e  uhso* 
lutely  necessary   that  all  communicati(m   between  the   ministerial 
fletft  and  the  short*  should  be  immediately  stopped  .  for  that  pur« 

1I0BC  he  has  given  positive  orders,  the  ships  should  no  longer  be 
iirnished  with  provisions.  Any  inhabitants,  or  olhe(s.  wlio  shall 
be  taken  that  have  been  on  board,  after  the  publishing  this  order^ 
or  near  any  of  the  ships,  or  ^'ing  on  board,  will  be  considered  M 
enemies,  and  treated  nucordingh 

'*  All  boats  are  to  sail  from  Heekman  slip.  Captain  James  Alner 
is  appointed  inspector,  u..J  will  give  permits  to  oystertnen  It  it 
ordured  and  expected  that  none  attemi»t  going  wiiiiout  a  past. 

••ISR\KL  PUINAM, 
"Migor>General   in  the  Continental  Army,  and  Commander 
•     >  in  Chief  of  the  Foroea  in  New-York/fT 

10 


106 


LIFE   OF   GENERAL   PUTNAM.^ 


,f. 


to  the  Jersey  shore.  0(  two  boats,  belonging 
to  two  armed  vesseJs,  which  attempted  ^.o  take 
on  board  fresh  water  from  the  watering  place 
4i0  Staten-lsland,  one  was  driven  off  by  the 
l^iflemen,  with  two  or  three  seamen  killed  in 
it,  and  the  other  captured  with  thirteen.  A 
few  days  afterwards,  Captain  Vandeput,  of 
the  Asia  man  of  war,  the  senior  officer  of  the 
ships  on  this  station,  finding  the  intercourse 
with  the  shore  interdicted,  their  limits  con- 
tracted, and  that  no  good  purposes  could  *be 
answered  by  remainmg  there,  sailed,  with  all 
the  armed  vessels,  out  of  the  harbour.  These 
arrangements  and  transactions,  joined  to  an 
unremitting  attention  to  the  completion  of  the 
defences,  gave  full  scope  to  the  activity  of 
General  Putnam,  until  tne  arrival  of  General 
Washington,  which  happened  about  the  middle 
of  April.  % 

The  Commander  in  Chief,  in  his  first  public 
orders,  '^  /complimented  the  officers  who  had  suc^ 
cessively  commanded  at  JVew-York^  and  return- 
ed his  thanks  to  them  as  well  as  to  the  officers 
and  soldiers  under  their  command,  for  the 
many  works  of  defence  which  had  been  so  ex- 
peditiously erected :  at  the  same  time  he  ex- 
pressed an  expectation  that  the  same  spirit  of 
zeal  for  the  service  would  continue  to  animate 
their  future  conduct.''  Putnam^  who  was  then 
the  only  Major-General  with  the  main  army, 
had  still  a  chief  agency  in  forwarding  the  for- 
ti^cations,  and)  with  th«  assistance  of  the 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


l67 


Brigadiers  Spencer  and  Lord  Stirling,  in  as- 
signing to  the  different  corps  their  alarm  posts. 
-Congress  having  intimated  a  desire  of  con- 
sulting with  the  Commander  in  Chief,  on  th« 
critical  posture  of  affairs,  his  Excellency  re- 
paired to  Philadelphia  accordingly,  and  was 
absent  from  the  tvventj-first  of  Maj  until  the 
sixth  of  June.  General  Putnam,  who  com*  ♦ 
manded  in  that  interval,  had  it  in  charge  to 
open  all  letters  directed  to  General  Washing- 
ton, on  public  service^  and^  if  important,  after 
regulating  his  conduct  by  their  contents,  to 
forward  them  by  express ;  to  expedite  the 
works  then  erectmg;  to  begin  others  which 
were  specified;  to  establish  signals  for  com- 
municating an  alarm;  to  guard  against  the 
possibility  of  surprise  ;  to  secure  well  the 
powder  magazine ;  to  augment,  by  every  means 
m  his  power,  th^a  quantity  of  cartridges  ;  and 
to  send  Brigadier-General  Lord  Stnling  to 
put  the  posts  in  the  Highlands  into  a  proper 
condition  of  defence.  He  had  also  a  private 
and  confidential  instruction^  to  afford  whatever 
aid  might  be  required  by  the  Provincial  Con-' 
gress  of  New-York,  for  apprehending  certain 
of  their  disaffected  citizens :  and  as  it  would 
be  most  convenient  to  take  the  detachment 
for  this  service  from  the  troops  on  Long- 
Island,  under  the  command  of  Brigadier- 
General  Greene;  it  was  recommended  '  that 
this  officer  should  be  advised  of  the  plan,  and 
th^  the  execution  should  be  conducted  with 


u 


LIFE   OF   GENBRAX  I»GTKABf« 


•  -f/i. 


-'l^-: 

^ 


108 


secilrecj  and  celerity,  as  well  as  with  decency 
aiicl  good  order.  In  the  records  of  the  artnj 
are  preserved  the  daily  orders  which  were 
issued  in  the  absence  of  the  Commander  in 
Chief,  who,  on  his  return,  was  not  only  satis- 
fied that  the  works  had  been  prosecut^  with 
all  possible  despatch,  but  also  that  the  other 
duties  had  been  properly  discharged.  ^    *  ' 

It  was  the  latter  end  of  June,  when  the 
British  fleet,  which  had  been  at  Halifax  wait- 
ing for  reinforcements  from  Europe,  began  to 
arrive  at  New-York.   To  obstruct  its  passage, 
^  some  marine  preparatioDs  had  been  made.  Geu- 
'^eral  Putnam,  to  whom  the  direction  of  the  whale- 
boats,  fire-rafts,  flat-bottomed  boats,  and  armed 
vessels,  was  committed,  afforded  his  patronage 
to  a  project  for  destroying  the  enemy's  ship- 
ping by  explosion.    A  macnine^  altogether  di(^ 
ferent  from  any  thing  hitherto  devised  by  the 
art  of  man,  had  been  invented  by  Mr.  David 
'  Bushnell,''^  for  sub-marine  navigation^  which 


*  David  Bushnell,  A.  M.  of  Saybrook,  in  Connectieutf  inronled 
aeveral  other  machines  for  the  annovano*  of  shipping  {  these,  fiotn 
accidents,  not  militating  against  ttte  ])hilo8ophioRl  principles  on 
mrhich  their  success  depended,  only  partially  aucceeiied.  lie  de- 
stroyed a  vessel  In  the  charge  df  Commodore  Symroondi,  wbmo 
report  to  the  Admiral  was  published.  One  of  his  kegs  hUo  de- 
molished a  vessel  near^'the  Long-Island  shore.  About  Chrittirias, 
1777,  he  committed  to  the  Delaware  a  number  of  ke^x,  iltisttmcMl 
to  fall  among  the  British  fleet  at  Philadelphia ;  but  hit  souadt  on 
of  kegs,  having  been  separated  and  retarded  by  the  ice,  demoiUhcd 
but  a  single  boat.  This  catastrophe,  however,  produced  an  ahu'in, 
unprecedented  in  its  nature  and  degree  ;  which  hat  been  to  li»p* 
pily  described  in  the  subsequent  song,  by  the  i'oti.  Franoii  Hop* 
kinson,  that  the  event  it  oefebrates  will  not  be  forgotten,  so  long  n* 
mankind  shall  continue  to  be  delighted  with  'rorks  of  humour  and 
taite. 


^■M 


..'-U. 


.>« 


;#^ 


LIFE   OF  GENERAL   PUTNAM^, 


109 


was  found  to  answer  the  purpose  perfectly^ 
of  rowing  horizontalljr  at  an^  given  depth 
under  water,  and  of  rising  or  sinking  at  pleas** 


-«%fV. 


THE  BATTLE  OF  THE  KEGS:— ^  Son^. 
Tune,  Mog^  Lawder.  '^ay'i 

%.    Gallanta,  attend,  and  hear  a  friend    ,/-  t'T  ' 
Thrill  forth  harmonious  ditty: 
Strange  things  I'll  tell,  which  late  befel  '    '"" 
'^  •'■•  In  Philadelphia  city.   ^ ,  --^i-  ,  .  *|Ai,'       '-; 

'Twas  early  day,  as  poets  say. 

Just  when  the  sun  was  rising,  , .     <- 
A  suldier  stood  on  log  of  wood» 

As  in  a  maze  he  stood  to  gaze,      '"^    \:-*    -. 

The  truth  can't  be  denied.  Sir,. 
He  spied  a  score  of  keg^  or  more. 

Come  floating  down  the  tide.  Sir.     < 

A  sailor,4oo,  in  jerkin  blue,    '  '^  ^      *    : '   ■  ■ 
The  strange  appearance  viewing. 

First  damn'd  his  eyes,  in  great  surprise. 
Then  said — "  Some  mischief's  brewing. 

**  These  Kegs  now  hold  the  rebels  bold,-       ' 
**  Paok'd  up  like  piekle<l  herring ; 

**  And  they're  come  down,  t'  attack  the  towii> 
"In  this  new  way  of  ferry 'ng.'* 

The  soldier  flew ;  the  sailor  too ;  * 

i        And,  soar'd  almost  to  death.  Sir, 

Wore  out  their  shoes  to  spread  the  news. 
And  ran  till  out  of  breath.  Sir. 

Now  up  and  down,  throughout  the  town^ 
Most  frantic  scenes  were  acted  ; 

And  some  ran  here,  and  some  ran  thcre> 
Like  men  almost  distracted.     .  -.. 

Some  fire  cried,  which  some  dentil^*  'f 
But  said  the  earth  had  q^uaked  :  y 

And  girls  and  boys,  with  hideoua  noip(|» 
Ran  through  the  town  half  naked.    , 

Sir  William*  he,  snug  as  a  flea« 
Lay  all  this  time  a  snoring  | 


^■>% 


'I 


i^  # 


.**'*  ■ 


Ui^ 


*  Sir  WilUam  Mnu- 

10*    .     . 


*  . 


■# 


^m-' 


f 


m 


LIFB   OF   GENERAL   PUTi^Alf. 


lire.     To  this  machine^  called  the  American 

Turtle,  was  attached  a  magazine  of  powdety 

*Yflmh  it  was  intended  to  be  fastened  under 


if^ 


-,:§q<Vi 


<*rtC 


-3\ 


i  Ik, 


Kor  dreamt  of  harm,  as  he  laj  warm 
In  bed  with  Mrs.  L*r*ng. 


■»xi4J -v  A/ i     ,'jf,;!i- 


?%:^' 

.;*^"" 


:^:- 


Now  in  a  fright,  he  starts  upright^ 

Awak'd  by  such  a  clatter : 
He  rubs  both  eyes,  and  boldly  criefl« 

«  For  God's  sake,  what's  the  matter  V 

At  his  bed-side  he  then  espied 

Sir  Erskine*  at  command.  Sir;  -  Hw  : 

Upon  one  foot  he  had  one  boot. 
And  t'other  in  his  hand,  Sir. 

**  Arise !  arise !"  Sir  Erskine  cries ; 

*'  The  rebels— 'more's  the  pity — 
"  Without  a  boat,  are  ail  on  float, 

*•  And  rang'd  before  the  city. 

^     '  "The  motlev  crew,  In  ▼essels  new, 

"With  Satan  for  their  guide.  Sir, 
,j    ;'.  '*Pack'd  up  in  I>ag8,  or  wooden  kegs, 

**  Come  driving  down  the  tide.  Sir : 

**  Therefore  prepare  for  bloody  war  j^      " 

**  These  kegs  must  all  be  routed, 
*'  Or  surely  we  despis'd  shall  be, 

*<  And  British  courage  doubted." 

The  Royal  band  now  ready  stand, 

All  raiig'd  in  dread  array,  Sir, 
With  stomachs  stent,  to  see  it  out>^ 

And  make  a  bliKMiy  day,  Sir.    . 

The  tannons  ipar  from  shore  to  ihore^ 

The  small  arras  make  a  rattle : 
Since  wars  began,  I'm  sure  no  man 

E'er  saw  so  strange  a  battle. 

The  rebel f  vales,  the  rebel  dales, 

W  ith  rebel  trees  surrouoded, 
The  distant  woods,  the  hills  and  floodtk 

With  rebel  eohoca  sounded. 

•  SirPl^UiiumErMne. 

t  The  JfrMth  tfficert  ^jm|«t;/bnd  ^  thi  wtrdnlM,  tttat  thetf 
^fien  applied  it  mttt  a6Miil|(f   >  -^         ^' 


■« 


LIFE   OF  dEVtERAL   PUTNAM. 


Ill 


thi  I'ottom  of  a  ship,  with  a  driving  screw,  ia 
such  sort,  that  the  same  stroke  ^hich  disen* 
gaged  it  from  the  machine,  should  put  the 
internal  clock-work  in  motion.  This  bein^ 
done,  the  ordinary  operation  of  a  sun-locK 
at  the  distance  of  half  an  hour,  an  hour,  or 
any  determinate  time,  would  cause  the  powder 
to  explode,  and  leave  the  effects  to  the  com- 
mon laws  of  nature.  The  simplicity,  yet 
combination  discovered  in  the  mechanism  of 
this  wonderful  machine,  were  acknowledged 
by  those  skilled  in  physics,  and  particularlf  * 
hydraulics,  to  be  not  less  ingenious  than  noyel. 


The  fish  below  Bwatn  to  and  fro,      ^ .  :t  1 
A ttaok'd  from  ev'ry  quarter;         '    ,  •; 

"  Why  iure,"  thought  they,  "the  Devil's  to  pay 
**  Moiig'si  folks  abofe  the  water." 

The  kegs, 'tis  said,  though  strongly  made 
',^  ^  Of  rebel  staves  and  hoops.  Sir, 

Could  not  opuose  their  pow'rful  foes. 
The  oonqu  ring  British  troups.  Sir. 

From  morn  to  night  those  men  of  might 
Disptay'd  amuzing  courage; 
.,  And  when  the  sun  was  fairfy  down^ 

Retir*d  to  sup  their  porridge. 

• 

An  hundred  men,  wilh  each  a  peti^ 
Or  mure,  upon  my  word.  Sir, 
■s\  It  is  most  true,  would  be  too  fevr 

X.,      Their  valour  to  record.  Sir. 

■■■If'    *    ■'•♦.  >^-   '■■"- 

'         Such  feats  did  they  perform  that  day,. 
Upon  those  wicked  keg»,  Sir, 
That  year*  to  come,  if  they  get  nome. 
They'll  make  their  boasts  and  brags.  Sir. 


■M  -^ 


Mr.  Bushnell,  havinjr  been  highh  recommended  for  his  tafenle 
by  President  Stiles,  General  Parsons,  and  some  other  gentlemea 
of  scieiice,  wus  appointed ,»  Captain  in  the  corps  of  sappers  and 
miners  i  in  which  capacity  he  odatintied  to  serve  with  that  eorDft. 
fBttil  tbe  eoneluiion  of  the  war. 


*#^ 


112 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAK. 


m 


The  inventor,  whose  constitution  was  too  fee- 
ble to  permit  him  to  perform  the  laboui;  of 
rowing  the  Turtle,  had  taught  his  brother  to 
manage  it  with  perfect  dexterity ;  but  unfor- 
tunately his  brotner  fell  sick  of  a  fever  just 
before  the  arrival  of  the  fleet.     Recourse  was 
therefore  had  to  a  sergeant  in  the  Connecticut 
troops;    who,  having  received  whatever  in* 
structions  could  be  communicated  to  him  in. 
a  short  time,  went,  too  late  in  the  night,  with 
all  the  apparatus,  under  the  bottom  of  the 
£ade,  a  sixty-four  gun   ship,  on  board  of 
which  the  British  Admiral,  Lord  Howe,  com- 
manded.    In  coming  up,  the  screw  that  had 
been    calculated    to    perforate    the    copper 
sheathing,  unluckily  struck  against  some  iron 
plates  where  the  rudder  is  connected  with  the 
stern.     This  accident,  added  to  the  strength 
of  the  tide  which  prevailed,  and  the  want  of 
adequate  skill  in  the  sergeant,  occasioned  such 
delay,  that  the  dawn  began  to  appear,  where- 
upon he  abandoned  the  magazme  to  chance, 
and  after  gaining  a  proper  distance,  for  the 
sake  of  expedition,  rowed  on  the  surface  to- 
wards the  town.     General  Putnam,  who  had 
been  on  the  wharf  anxiously  expecting  the 
result,  from  the  first  glimmering  of  light,  be- 
held the  machine  near  Governor^s-Island,  and 
sent  a  whale-boat  to  bring  it  on  shore.     In 
about  twenty  minutes  afterwards  the  magazine 
exploded,  and   blew  a  vast  column  of  water 
to  an  amazing  height  in  the  air.    As  the 


-*»»,  I. 


* ... 


m 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM; 


IIS 


whole  business  had  been  kept  an  inviolable 
secret,  he  was  not  a  little  diverted  with  the 
varioirs  conjectures,  whether  this  stupendous 
noise  was  produced  by  a  bomb,  a  meteor,  a 
water-spout,  or  an  earthquake.  Other  opera* 
tions  oi  a  most'  serious  nature  rapidly  sue* 
ceeded,  and  prevented  a  repetition  of  the  ex* 
periment.  ^■' " '  ■  ■■^v.-^r:^  ^^.  ..^^x^ .,  v-r  .  .r^^x  ■  r  .  *-:.^v  ■ 
On  the  twenty-second  day  of  August,  the 
van  of  the  British  landed  on  Long  Island,  and 
was  soon  followed  by  the  whole  army,  except 
one  brigade  of  Hessians,  a  small  body  of  Brit^ 
ish,  and  some  convalescents,  left  on  Staten* 
Island.  Our  troops  on  Long  Island  had  been 
commanded  during  the  summer  by  General 
Greene  who  was  now  sick ;  and  General  Put- 
nam took  the  command  but  two  days  before 
the  battle  of  Flatbush.  The  instructions  to 
him,  pointing  in  the  first  place  to  decisive  ex- 
pedients for  suppressing  th6  scattering,  un- 
meaning, and  wasteful  hre  of  our  men,  con- 
tained regulations  for  the  service  of  the  guards, 
the  Brigadiers  and  the  Field-officers  of  the 
day  ;  for  the  appointment  and  encouragement 
of  proper  scouts,  as  well  as  for  keeping  the 
men  constantly  at  their  posts ;  for  preventing 
the  burning  of  buildings,  except  it  should  be 
necessary  for  military  purposes,  and  for  pre- 
serving private  property  from  pillage  and  de- 
struction. To  tliese  regulations  were  added, 
in  a  more  diffuse,  though  not  less  spirited  and 
professional  style,  reflections  on  the  distinction 


114 


LIFE   OF   GENERAL   PUTirABr« 


% 


of  an  army  from  a  mob ;  with  exhortations  for 
the  soldiers  to  conduct  themselves  manfuUj  in 
such  a  cause,  and  for  their  Commander  to 
oppose  the  enemy's  approach  with  detach- 
ments of  his  best  troops ;  while  he  should 
endeavour  to  render  their  advance  more  diffi- 
cult by  constructing  abbatis,  and  to  entrap 
their  parties  by  forming  ambuscades.  General 
Putnam  was  within  the  lines,  when  an  engage- 
ment took  place  on  the  27th,  between  the 
British  army  and  our  advanced  corps,  in  which 
we  lost  about  a  thousand  men  in  killed  and 
missing,  with  the  Generals  Sullivan  and  Lord 
Stirling  made  prisoners.  But  our  men,  though 
attacked  on  all  sides,  fought  with  great 
bravery;  and  the  enemy's  loss  was  not  light. 
The  unfortunate  battle  of  Long-Island,  the 
masterly  retreat  from  thence,  and  the  actual 

eassage  of  part  of  the  hostile  fleet  in  the  East- 
liver,  above  the  town,  preceded  the  evacua- 
tion of  New- York.  A  promotion  of  four 
Major-Generals,  and  six  Brigadiers,  had  pre- 
viously been  made  by  Congress.  After  the 
retreat  from  Long-Island,  the  main  army,  con- 
sisting, for  th  -  moment,  of  sixty  battalions,  of 
which  twenty  were  Continental,  the  residue 
levies  and  militia,  was,  conformably  to  the  ex- 
igencies of  the  service,  rather  than  to  the  rules 
of  war,  formed  into  fourteen  brigades  M^  jor- 
General  Putnam  commanded  the  right  grand 
division  of  five  brigades,  the  Majors-General 
Spei^cer  and  Oreene  the  centre  of  six  brigades, 


''"^: 


'i'ff 


-t- 


LIFB  or  CfiNBRAL  l>UTNAM. 


115 


[ons  for 
ifuUy  in 
ider  to 
detach- 

sbould 
►re  diffi" 

entrap 
General 
engage- 
een  the 
in  which 
llled  and 
nd  Lord 
t,  though 
,h    great 
lot  Tight, 
land, the 
he  actual 
the  East- 

evacua- 

of  four 
had  pre- 
\fter  the 
rmy,  con- 
Italions,  of 
residue 
to  the  ex- 

the  rules 

fiit  grand 
j-General 
brigades, 


and  Major-General  Heath  the  left,  which  wad 
posted  near  Kinf^S'bTids;e^  and  composed  of 
two  brigades.  The  whole  never  amounted 
to  iwentj  thousand  efiective  men ;  while  the 
British  and  German  forces,  under  <Sir  William 
Howe,  exceeded  twenty-two  thousand :  in- 
deed, the  minister  had  asserted  in  parHament 
that  they  would  consist  of  more  tnan  thirty 
thousana.  Our  two  centre  divisions,  both 
commanded  by  General  Spencer,  in  the  sick- 
ncaa  oC  General  Greene,  moved  towards 
Mount  Washington,  Harlaem  Heights,  and 
Horn's  Hook,  as  soon  as  the  final  resolution 
was  taken  in  a  council  of  war,  on  the  twelfth 
of  September,  to  abandon  the  city.  That  : 
event,  thus  circunistanced,  took  effect  a  few 
days  after*  '■■^'■iruu  ■^'^■^fi-m':.-^'^'"'^^;^^^^^^-  '' 

On  Sunday,  the  fifteenth,  the  British,  after 
sending  three  ships  of  war  up  the  North- 
River,  to  Bloomingdale,  and  keeping  up^  for 
some  hours,  a  severe  cannonade  on  our  lines, 
from  those  already  in  the  East-River,  landei 
in  force  at  Turtle  Bay.  Our  new  levies,  com-* 
manded  by  a  State  Brigadier-General,  fled 
without  making  resistance.  Two  brigades 
of  General  Putnam's  division,  ordered  to 
their  support,  notwithstanding  the  exertion  of 
their  BrigaiUers,  and  of  the  Commander  in 
Chief  himself,  who  came  up  at  the  instant, 
conducted  themselves  in  the  same  shameful 
manner.  His  Excellency  then  ordered  the 
Heights  of  Hmrlaeni,  a  strong  position,  to  be 


M 


-^' 

;■'■?*''■', 


116 


^; 


LIFE  OP  GENERAL  PUTNAM« 


^«^.- 


occupied.  Thither  the  forces  in  the  vicinity, 
as  well  as  the  fugitives,  repaired.  In  the 
mean  time  General  rutiiam,  with  the  remain- 
der of  bis;  c6aimand,  and^  the ,  ordinary  out- 
posts, was  in  the  city.  After  having  caused 
the  brisfades  to  begin  their  retreat  by  the 
route  of  Bioomingdale,  in  order  to  avoiu  the 
enemy,  who  were  then  in  the  possession  of  the 
main  road  leading  to  KIng's-bridgc,  he  gal- 
lopped  to  call  otf  the  pickets  and  guards. 
Having  myself  been  a  volunteer  in  his  division, 
and  acting  Adjutant  to  the  last  legiment  that 
left  the  city,  I  had  frequent  oppuitunities, that 
day,  of  beholding  him,  for  the  purpose  oi  issu- 
ing orders,  and  encouraging  the  troops,  flying, 
on  his  horse  covered  with  foam,  wherever  his 
presence  was  most  necessary.  Without  his 
extraordinary  exertions,  the  guards  must  have 
been  inevitably  lost,  and  it  is  probable  the 
entire  corps  would  have  been  cut  in  pieces. 
When  we  were  nut  far  from  Bioomingdale,  an 
Aid-de-camp  came  from  him  at  full  speed,  to 
inform  that  a  column  of  British  infantry  was 
descending  upon  our  right.  Our  rear  was 
soon  fired  upon,  and  the  Colonel  of  our  regi- 
ment, whose  order  was  just  communicated  for 
the  Iront  to  file  off  to  tlie  left,  was  killed  on 
the  spot.  With  no  other  loss  we  join'ed  the 
army,  after  dark,  on  the  Heights  of  Harlaem. 
Before  our  brigades  came  in,  we  were 
given  up  for  lost  by  all  our  friends.  So  criti- 
cal indeed  was  our  situation,  and  so  narrow 


.^-*#.: 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


117 


the  gap  by  which  we  escalled,  that  the  instant 
we  had  passed  the  enemy  closed  it  by  extending 
their  line  from  river  to  river.  Our  men,  wlio 
had  been  fifteen  hours  under  arms,  harassed 
by  marching  and  countermarching,  in  conse- 
quence of  incessant  alarms,  exhausted  as  they 
were  by  heat  and  thirst,  (for  the  day  proved 
insupportabiy  hot,  and  few  or  none  had  can- 
teens, insomuch,  that  some  died  at  the  brooks 
where  they  drank)  if  attacked,  could  have 
made  but  feeble  resistance. 

If  we  take  into  consideration  the  debilitat- 
ing sickness  which  weakened  almost  all  our 
troops,  the  hard  duty  by  which  they  were 
worn  down  in  constructmg  numberless  de- 
fences, the  continual  want  of  rest  they  had 
suffered  since  the  enemy  landed,  in  guarding 
from  nocturnal  surprise,  the  desponuency  in- 
fused into  their  minds  by  an  insular  situation, 
and  a  consciousness  of  inferiority  to  the  enemy 
in  discipline,  together  with  the  disadvanta- 
geous terms  upon  which,  in  their  state  of  sep- 
aration, they  might  have  been  forced  to 
engage,  it  appears  highly  probable  that  day 
would  have  presented  an  easy  victory  to  the 
British.  On  the  other  side,  the  Amoriraii 
Commander  in  Chief  had  wisely  countenanced 
an  opinion,  then  universally  credited,  that  our 
army  was  three  times  more  numerous  than  it 
was  in  reality.  It  is  not  a  subject  for  aston- 
ishment, that  the  British,  ignorant  of  the  exist- 
ing circumstances,  imposed  upon   as   to  ttie 

11 


1W''- 


^ 


■H'* 


118 


•  ♦ 


LIFE   OF   GENERAL   PUTNAM. 


numbers  by  reports,  and  recollecting  what  a 
few  brave  men,  slightly  entrenched,  liad  per- 
formed at  Bunker-Hill,  should  proceed  with 
great  circumspection.  For  their  reproaches, 
that  the  rebels,  as  they  affected  to  style  us, 
loved  digging  better  than  fighting,  and  that 
they  earthed  themselves  in  holes  like  fotes, 
but  ill  concealed  at  the  bottom  of  their 
own  hearts  the  profound  impression  that  ac- 
tion had  made.  Cheap  and  contemptible  as 
we  had  once  seemea  in  their  eyes,  it  had 
taught  them  to  hold  us  in  some  respect.  This 
respect,  in  conjunction  with  a  fixed  belief, 
that  the  enthusiastic  spirit  of  our  opposition 
must  soon  subside,  ana  that  the  inexhaustible 
resources  of  Britain  would  ultimately  triumph, 
without  leaving  any  thing  to  chance  (not  the 
avarice  or  treachery  of  the  British  General, 
as  the  factious  of  his  own  nation  wished  to  in- 
sinuate,) retarded  their  operation,  and  afforded 
us  leisure  to  rescue  from  annihilation  the  mis- 
erable relics  of  an  army,  hastening  to  dissolu- 
tion by  the  expiration  of  enlistments,  and  the 
country  itself  from  irretrievable  subjugation. 
In  truth,  we  are  not  less  indebted  to  tiik 
mattock  at  one  period,  than  to  the  musket 
at  another,  for  our  political  salvatldn, 
/t  required  great  talents  to  determine  when 
one  or  the  other  was  most  profitably  to  bo 
employed.  I  am  aware  how  fashionable  it 
has  become  to  compare  the  American  Com- 
mander in  Chief,  for  the  prudence  displayed 


i 

LIFE   OF   GENERAL    PUTNAM. 


119 


ig  what  a 
,  had  per- 
ceed  with 
jproaches, 

style  us, 
r,  and  that 
Vike  foxes,     , 
I   of    their 
on  that  ac- 
inptible  as 
^es,  it  had 
pect.  This 
xed   belief, 

opposition 
kexnaustible 
i\y  triumph, 
ice  (not  the 
Ish  General, 
j^ished  to  in- 
und  afforded 
Eon  the  mis- 
W  to  disaolu- 
^tfl,  and  the 

subjugation. 

ITED  TO  T1IK 
THE  MUSKET 
,    SALVATldN. 

^rmine  whfn 
[fitably  to  bo 
ishionable  it 
ierican  Com- 
e  dieplaycMl 


in  those  dilatory  and  defensive  operations,  so 
happily  prosecuted  in  the  early  stages  of  the 
war,  to  the  illustrious  Roman,  who  acquired 
immortality  in  restoring  the  Commonwealth 
by  delay.     Advantageous  and  flattering  as  the 
comparison  at  first  appears,  it  will  be  found, 
on  examination,  to  stint  the  American  Fabius 
to  the  smaller  moiety  of  his  merited  fame. 
Did  HE  not«  in  scenes  of  almost  unparalleled 
activity,  discover  specimen!  of  transcendent 
abilities ;  and  might  it  not  be  proved,  to  pro- 
fessional men,  that  boldness  m  council,  and 
rapidity  in  execution,  were,  at  least,  equally 
with  prudent  procrastip' tion,  and  the  quality 
of  not  being  compelled  to  action,  attributes  of 
his  military  geni'is  ?    This^  however,  was  an 
occasion,  as  apparent  as  pressing,  for  attaining 
his  object  by  delay.     From  that  he  had  every 
thing  to  gain,  nothing  to  lose.   Yet  there  were 
not  wantmg  politicians^  at  this  very  time, 
who  querulously  blamed  these  Fabian  meas- 
ures, and  loudly  clamoured  that  the  immense 
labour  and  expense  bestowed  on  the  fortiflca- 
tiori  of  New-York,  had   been   thrown  away ; 
lliat  If  wo  could  not  face  the  enemy   there 
after  so  many  preparations,  we  might  as  well 
relinquish  the  contest  at  once,  for  we  could 
no  wnere  make  a  stand;  and  that  if  General 
Washington,  with  an  army  of  sixty  thousand 
men,   stronsjly  entrenched,  declined  fighting 
with  Sir  William  Howe,  who  had  little  more 
than  one  third  of  that  number,  it  was  not  tti 


< 


^  ■*•; 


% 


120 


LIFE  OF  GENfiRAL  PUTNAM. 


V 


.  >' 


"be  expected  he  would  find  any  other  occa- 
lion  that  might  induce  him  to  engage.  But 
General  Washington,  content  to  sufler  a  tem- 
porary sacrifice  of  personal  reputation,  for  the 
sake  of  securing  a  permanent  advantage  to 
his  country,  and  regardless  of  those  idle  clam- 
ours for  which  he  had  furnished  materials,  by 
making  his  countrymen,  in  order  the  more 
effectually  to  make  his  enemy  believe  his 
force  much  greater  than  it  actually  was,  in- 
flexibly pursued  his  system,  and  gloriously 
demonstrated  how  poor  and  pitiful,  in  the  es- 
timation of  A  GREAT  MIND,  are  the  censorious 
strictures  of  those  novices  in  war  and  politics, 
who,  with  equal  rashness  and  impudence,  pre- 
sume to  decide  dogmatically  on  the  merit  of 
plans  they  could  neither  originate  or  compre- 
nend ! 

That  night  our  soldiers,  excessively  fatigued 
by  the  sultry  march  of  the  day,  their  clothes 
wet  by  a  severe  shower  of  rain  that  succeeded 
towards  the  evening,  their  blood  chilled  by 
the  cold  wind  that  produced  a  sudden  change 
in  the  temperature  of  the  air,  and  their  hearts 
surtk  withm  them  by  the  loss  of  baggage,  ar- 
tillery, and  works  in  which  they  had  been 
taught  to  put  great  confidence,  lay  upon  tlieir 
arms,  covered  only  by  the  clouds  of  an  uncom- 
fortable sky.  To  retrieve  our  disordered 
affairs,  and  prevent  the  enemy  from  profiting 
by  them,  no  exertion  was  relaxed,  no  vigilance 
remitted  on  the  part  of  our  higher  officers. 


■*  ■ 


■\.^ 


LIFE  OP  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


isii 


r  occa- 
3.     But 
:  a  tem- 
,  for  the 
itage  to 
le  clam- 
rials,  by 
le  more 
ieve   his 
was,  in- 
ioriously 
[1  the  es- 
3nsorious 
I  politics, 
ince,  pre- 
merit  of 
'  compre- 

f  fatigued 
ir  clothes 
ucceeded 
hilled  by 
!ii  change 
[iir  hearts 
;ga^e,  ai- 
liad  been 
ipon  their 
n  uncom- 
isordered 
profiting 
vigilance 
r  officers. 


The  regiments  which  had  been  least  exposed 
to  fatigue  that  day,  furnished  the  necessary 
picquets  to  secure  the  army  from  surprise. 
Those  whose  military  lives  had  been  short 
and  unpractised,  felt  enough  besides  lassitude 
of  body  to  disquiet  the  tranquillity  of  their 
repose.  Nor  had  those  who  were  older  in 
service,  and  of  more  experience,  any  subject 
for  consolation.  The  warmth  of  enthusiasm 
seemed  to  be  extinguished.  The  force  of  dis- 
cipline had  not  sufficiently  occupied  its  place 
to  give  men  a  dependence  upon  each  other. 
We  were  apparently  about  to  reap  the  bitter 
fruits  of  that  jealous  policy,  which  some  lead- 
ing men,  with  the  best  motives,  had  sown  in 
our  federal  councils,  when  they  caused  the 
mode  to  be  adopted,  for  carrying  on  the  war 
by  detachments  of  militia,  from  apprehension 
that  an  established  Continental  army,  after 
defending  the  country  against  foreign  inva- 
sion, might  subvert  its  hberties  themselves. 
Paradoxical  as  it  will  appear,  it  may  be  profit- 
able to  be  known  to  posterity,  that  while  our 
very  existence  as  an  independent  people  was 
in  question,  the  patriotic  jealousy  for  tne  safe- 
ty of  our  future  freedom  had  been  carried  to 
such  a  virtuous  but  dangerous  excess  as  well 
nigh  to  preclude  the  attainment  of  our  Inde- 
pendence. Happily  that  Hmited  and  hazard- 
ous system  soon  gave  room  to  one  more  en- 
lightened and  salutary.  This  may  be  attri- 
buted to  the  reiterated  arguments,  the  open 


122   :•         LIFE    OP   GENERAL   PUTNAM. 


^ 


f 


■si 

■4 


i- 


iferaonstrances,  and  the  confidential  communi- 
cations of  the  Commander  in  Chief;  who, 
though  not  apt  to  despair  of  the  Republic,  on 
this  occasion  expressed  himself  in  terms  of 
unusual  despondency.  Hie  declared,  in  his 
letters,  that  he  found,  to  his  utter  astonish- 
ment and  mortification,  that  no  reliance  could 
be  placed  on  a  gr^at  proportion  of  his  pres- 
ent troops,  and  that,  unless  efficient  measures 
for  f  stablishing  a  permanent  force  should  be 
speedily  pursued,  we  had  every  reason  to  fear 
the  final  rui)>  oit  our  cause. 

Next  mjprning  several  parties  of  the  enemy 
appeared  upon  the  plains  in  our  front.  On 
receiving  this  intelligence.  General  Washing- 
ton rode  quickly  to  the  out-posts,  for  the 
purpose  of  preparing  against  an  attack,  if  the 
enemy  should  advance  with  that  design. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Knowlton's  rangers,  a 
fine  selection  from  the  eastern  regiments,  who 
had  been  skirmishing  with  an  advanced  party, 
came  in,  and  informed  the  General  that  a 
body  of  British  were  under  cover  of  a  small 
eminence  at  no  considerable  distance.  His 
Excellency,  willing  to  taise  our  men  from 
their  dejection  by  the  splendour  of  some  little 
success,  ordered  Lieutenant-Colonel  Knowl- 
ton,  with  his  rangers,  and  Major  Leitch,  with 
three  companies  of  Weedon's  regiment  of  Vir- 
ginians, to  gain  their  rear ;  while  appearances 
should  be  made  of  an  attack  in  front.  Ai 
sooa  as  the  enemy  saw  the  party  sent  to  dc- 


LiPE  OP  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


M3 


coy  them,  they  ran  precipitately  down  thS 
hill,  took  possession  of  some  fences  and  bushes,  ;■ 
and  commenced  a  brisk  firing  at  long  shot. 
Unfortunately  Knovvl ton  and  Leitch  made  their  . 
onset  rather  m  flank  than  in  rear.  The  enemy 
changed  their  front,  and  the  skirmish  at  once 
became  close  and  warm.  Major  Leitch*  hav- 
ing received  three  balls  through  his  side,  was 
soon  borne  from  the  field ;  and  Colonel  Knowl- 
ton,  who  had  distinguished  himself  so  gallantly 
at  the  battle  of  IBunker-Hill,  was  mortally 
wounded  immediately  after.  Their  men,  how- 
ever, undaunted  by  these  disasters,  stimulated  . 
with  the  thirst  of  revenge  for  the  loss  of  their 
leaders,  and,  conscious  of  acting  under  the  eye  ,^ 
of  the  Commander  in  Chief,  maintained  the  * 
conflict  with  uncommon  spirit  and  persever- 
ance. But  the  General,  seeing  them  in  need 
of  support,  advanced  part  of  the  Maryland 
regiments  of  Griffith  and  Richardson,  together 
with  some  detachments  from  such  eastern 
corps  as  chanced  to  be  most  contiguous  to 
the  place  of  action.  Our  troops  this  day,  with- 
out exception,  behaved  with  the  greatest  in- 
trepidity. So  bravely  did  they  repulse  the 
IJritish,  that  Sir  William  Howe  moved  his 
reserve,  with  two  field  pieces,  a  battalion  of 
Hessian  grenadiers,  and  a  company  of  Chas- 
seurs, to  succour  his  retreating  troops.  Gene- 
ral Washington,    not  willing  to  draw  on  a 

•  Major  Leitch,  aftci*  languishing;  some  day?,  died  of  a  lockcti 

illW, 


y^ 


* 


■m 


m 


'■  ?fW' 


P- ;,..:'*' 


124 


LIFE  OP  GENERAL  PUTNAM» 


n 


'Ot' 


■W- 


*Veneral  action,  declined  pressing  the  pursuit. 
In  this  engagement  were  the  second  and  third 
battalions  of  hght  infantry,  the  forty-second 
British  regiment,  and  the  German  Chasseurs, 
of  whom  eight  officers,  and  upwards  of  seventy 
privates  were  wounded,  and  our  people  buried 
nearly  twenty,  who  were  left  dead  on  the  field. 
We  had  about  forty  wounded  :  our  loss  in 
killed,  Qxcept  of  two  valuable  officers,  was  very 
inconsiderable. 

An  advantage,*  so  trivial  in  itself,  produced, 
in  event,  a  surprising  and  almost  incredible  ef- 
fect upon  the  whole  army.  Amongst  the  troops 
not  engaged,  who,  during  the  action,  were 
throwing  earth  from  the  new  trenches,  with 
an  alacrity  that  indicated  a  determination  to 
defend  them,  every  visage  was  seen  to  bright- 

•  A  transcript  from  General  Washington's  Public  Orders  of  the 
seventeenth  will,  better  than  any  otiicr  document  that  couSd  be 
adduced,  show  his  sentiment  on  the  conduct  of  the  two  preceding 
days,  and  ho»  fervently  he  wished  to  foster  tiie  good  dinpositioits 
discovered  od  the  last. 

"ORDERS. 

"Head-Quarters,  UarLiem  HeightHy  September  17,  1776. 
*•  Parole,  Leitch.    Countersign,  Virginia. 

**  The  General  most  heartily  thanks  the  troops  commanded  yes- 
terday by  Major  Leitch,  who  first  advanced  upon  the  enemy,  and 
the  others  who  so  resolutely  supported  them.  The  behaviour  yes- 
terday was  such  a  contrast  to  that  of  some  of  the  troops  the  day 
hefore,  as  must  show  what  may  be  done,)*' here  officers  and  soldiers 
will  exert  themselves.  Once  more,  therefore,  the  General  calls 
upon  officers  and  men,  to  act  up  to  the  noble  cause  in  which  they 
are  engaged,  and  to  support  the  honour  and  liberties  o{ i\ic\t  couu* 
^ry. 

"  The  gallant  and  brave  Colonel  Knowllon,  who  would  have  been 
■an  honour  to  any  Country,  having  fallen  yesterday,  while  gloriously 
fighting,  Captain  Brown  is  to  take  the  command  of  the  party  late- 
ly led  by  Colonel  Knowlton.  Officers  and  men  are  to  obey  him 
accordingly." 


■<#i 


% 


.t 

1!-: 


LIFE!  OF   GENERAL   PUTNAM. 


125 


lie  pursuit, 
d  and  third 
jrty-second 
Chasseurs, 
s of  seventy 
iople  buried 
on  the  field, 
our  loss  in 
;rs,  was  very 

If,  produced, 
incredible  ef- 
rst  the  troops 
action,  were 
:enches,  with 
jrmination  to 
jen  to  biight- 

ublic  Orders  of  the 

iieut  that  couUl  be 

the  two  preceding 

e  good  diKpositioits 

September  17,  I  "76. 

rginia. 

IDS  commanded  yes- 
pon  the  enemy,  and 
[The  behaviour  yes- 
the  troops  the  day 
officers  and  soldiers 
5,  the  General  calls 
sliuse  in  which  they 
')erties  oiihtit  coun- 

„bo  would  have  been 

llay,  wi«de  gloriously 
Ind  of  the  party  lute- 

Icn  are  to  obey  hmi 


Jk 


en,  and  to  assume,  instead  of  the  gltibm  of 
despair,  the  glow  of  animation.  This  change, 
no  less  sudden  -than  happy,  left  little  room  to 
doubt  that  the  men,  who  ran  the  day  before 
at  the  sight  of  an  enemy,  would  now,  to  wipe 
away  the  stain  of  that  disgrace,  and  to  recover 
the  confidence  p{  their  General,  have  conduct- 
ed themselves  in  -  a  very,  different  manner. 
Some  alteration  was  made  in  the  distribution 
of  corps  to  prevent  the  British  From  gaining 
either  flank  m  the  succeeding  night.  Genial 
Putnam,  who  commanded  on  the  right,  was 
directed  in  orders,  in  case  the  enemy  should 
attempt  to  force  the  pass,  to  apply  for  a  rein- 
forcement to  General  Spencer,  who  command- 
ed on  the  left.  ^w: 

General  Putnam,  who  was  too  good  an 
husbandman  himself  not  to  have  a  respect 
for  the  labours  and  improvements  of  others, 
strenuously  seconded  the  views  of  the  Com- 
mander in  Chief  in  preventing  the  devastation 
of  farms,  and  the  violation  of  private  property. 
For  under  pretext  that  the  property  in  this 
quarter  belonged  to  friends  to  the  British  gov- 
ernment, as  indeed  it  mostly  did,  a  spirit  of 
::cpine  and  licentiousness  began  to  prevail, 
which,  unless  repressed  in  the  beginning,  fore- 
boded, besides  tfie  subversion  of  discipline,  the 
disgrace  and  defeat  of  our  arms.   . 

Our  new  defences  now  becoming  so  strong 
as  not  to  admit  insult  with  impunity,  and  Sir 
William  Howe,  not  choosing  to  place  too  much 


'^: 


« 


f-  f^ 


■%. 


.«*.'■ 


.,*  •"  :.(>' 


^.   ,i-.' 


•HftJ-. 


--0 


:>     »#■ 


f.. 


■»'-  . 


f*. 


,^■. 


126 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


at  risE  in  attacking  us  in  front,  on  the  12th 
day  of  October,  leaving  Lord  Percy  with  one 
Hessian  and  two  British  brigades,  in  his  lines 
at  Harlaeni,  to  cover  New-York,  embarked 
with  the  main  body  of  his  army,  with  an  in- 
tention of  landing  at  Froi^^s  jVeck^  situated 
near  the  town  of  West-Chester,  and  little 
more  than  a  league  above  the  communication 
called  King's-bridge,  which  connects  New- 
York  Island  with  the  main.  There  was  no- 
thing to  oppose  him ;  and  he  effected  his  de- 
barkation by  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning. 
The  same  policy  of  keeping  our  army  as  com- 
pact as  possible  ;  the  same  system  oi  avoiding 
being  forced  to  action ;  and  the  same  precau- 
tion to  prevent  the  interruption  of  suppKes, 
reinforcements  or  retreat,  that  lately  dictated 
the  evacuation  of  New- York,  now  induced 
General  Washington  to  move  towards  the 
strong  grounds  in  the  upper  part  of  West- 
Chester  county. 

About  the  same  time  General  Putnam  was 
sent  to  the  western  side  of  the  Hudson,  to 
provide  against  an  irruptipn  into  the  Jerseys, 
and  soon  after  to  Philadelphia,  to  put  that 
town  into  a  posture  of  defence.*     Thither  I 

•  From  the  preceding  paragraph  it  would  &eem  that  General 
Putnam  was  detached,  first  to  New-Jersey,  and  soon  afterwards  to 
I'hiladclpliu,  immediately  ftfter  the  movement  of  the  British  army 
to  Frog*8  neck.  The  truth  13,  he  was  with  the  army  at  White- 
Plains,  and  had  part  in  the  action  fought  there  the  28lh  of  October. 
It  was  the  positiou  of  Urigadier-Gencrai  M'Dongal  which  was  at- 
t:icked«  and  Washingtoi?  ordered  a  detachment  of  the  army  under 
Major-General  Putuara  to  support  him.    Some  days  after  this  »c- 


W 


■•m 


k 


1  the  12th 
1^  with  one 
in  his  line* 

embarked 
with  an  in- 
;jfc,  situated 
,  and  little 
amunication 
lects   New- 
tere  was  no 
jcted  his  de- 
he  morning, 
irmy  as  com- 
n  of  avoiding 
same  precau- 
I  of  suppHes, 
itely  dictated 
now  induced 

towards  the 
art  of  West- 
Putnam  was 
Hudson,  to 
the  Jerseys, 
to  put  that 

*     Thither  I 

teem  that  General 
I  soon  afterwards  to 
«  of  fhe  British  fvmy 
Tihe  army  at  Wh.te- 
■  the  28ih  of  October. 

longal  which  was  at- 
U  of  the  army  imde; 
'^e  days  after  this 'AC 


Lire  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


127 


attend  him,  without  stooping  to  dilate  ^h  the 
subsequent  incidents,  that  might  swell «  folio, 
though  here  compressed  to  a  single  pa  rap* 
graph ;  without  attempting  to  give  in  detail 
the  skilful  retrograde  movements  of  our  Com- 
mander in  Chief,  who,  after  detaching  a  garri- 
son for  Fort  Washington,  by  pre-occupying 
with  extemporaneous  redoubts  and  entrench- 
ments, the  ridges  from  Mile-Square  to  White' 
Plains^,  and  by  folding  one  bl||ade  behind 
another,  in  rear  of  those  ridges  that  run  paril- 
lel  with  the  Sounds  brought  off  all  his  artillery, 
stores,  and  sick,  in  the  face  of  a  superior  foe ; 
without  commenting  on  the  partial  and  equivo- 
cal battle  fought  near  the  last  mentioned  vil- 
lage, or  the  cause  why  the  British,  then  in  full 
force,  (for  the  last  of  the  Hessian  infantry  and 
British  light-horse  had  just  arrived)  did  not 
more  seriously  endeavour  to  induce  a  general 
engagement;  without  journalizing  their  milita« 
ry  manoeuvres  in  falling  back  to  King's-bridge, 
capturing  Fort  Washtngton,  Fort  Lee,  and 
marching  through  the  Jerseys ;  without  enu- 
merating the  instances  of  rapine,  murder,  lust, 
and  devastation,  that  marked  their  progress. 


■*« 


tion,  General  Putnam  was  ordered  to  cross  the  Hudson,  and  pro- 
vide against  an  irruption  of  the  enemy  into  New-Jersey.  He  was 
soon  folloVed  hy  Washington  with  part  of  his  army,  which  to«k 
post  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  I.ee,  and,  after  the  fall  of  that  Fort, 
General  Putnam  was  constantly  about  his  person  during  the  whole 
retreat  through  New-Jersey,  and  among  the  last  of  the  fugitive  Rr» 
my  which  crossed  the  Delaware : — then  it  was,  that  he  was  ordered 
to  Philadelphia  to  fortify  aod  defend  that  city,  which  Congress  had 
ordered  to  be  deftnded  to  t!»e  last  extremity.    C Editor. J. 


^ 


** 


128 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


^^ 


.!■ 


and  filled  our  bosoms  with  horror  and  indigna- 
tion ;  without  describing  how  a  division  of  our 
dissolving  army,  with  General  Washington, 
was  driven  before  them  beyond  the  Delaware; 
without  painting  the  naked  and  forlorn  condi- 
tion of  tnese  much  injured  men,  amidst  the 
rigours  of  an  inclement  season ;  and  without 
even  sketching  the  consternation  that  seized 
the  States  at  this  perilous  period,  when  Gene- 
ral Lee,  in  leading  from  the  north  a  small 
reinforcement  to  our  troops,  was  himself  tak- 
en prisoner  by  surprise;  when  every  thing 
seemed  decidedly  declining  to  the  last  extremi- 
ty, and  when  every  prospect  but  served  to 
augment  the  depression  of  despair — until  the 
genius  of  one  man,  in  one  day,  at  a  single 
stroke,  wrested  from  the  veteran  battalions  of 
Britain  and  Germany  the  fruits  acquired  by 
the  total  operations  of  a  successful  campaign, 
and  re-animated  the  expiring  hope  of  a  whole 
nation,  by  the  glorious  enterprize  at  Trenton. 
While  the  hostile  forces,  rashly-  inflated 
with  pride  by  a  series  of  uninterrupted  suc- 
cesses, and  fondly  dreaming  that  a  period 
would  soon  be  put  to  their  labours,  By  the 
completion  of  their  conquests,  had  been  pur- 
suing the  wretched  remnants  of  a  disbanded 
army  to  the  banks  of  the  Delaware,  General 
Putnam  was  diligently  employed  in  fortifying 
Philadelphia,  the  capture  of  which  appeared 
indubitably  to  be  their  principal  object.  Here, 
by  authority  and  example,  he  strove  to  concili- 


I    M.  * 


"J  »HI7^'i 


LIFE   OF   GENERAL    PUTNAMc 


129 


id  indigna-- 
sion  of  our 
rashington, 
Delaware ; 
•lorn  condi- 
amidst  the 
nd  without 
that  seized 
when  Gene- 
rth  a  small 
himself  tak- 
every  thing 
last  extremi- 
ut  served  to 
tir — until  the 
,  at  a  single 
I  battalions  of 
acquired  by 
ful  campaign, 
pe  of  a  whole 
e  at  Trenton, 
ishly-  inflated 
errupted  sue- 
hat  a  period 
hours,  by  the 
lad  been  pur- 
)f  a  disbanded 
ware,  General 
,d  in  fortifying 
hich  appeared 
object.     Hei-e, 
rove  to  concili- 


ate contending  factions,  and  to  excite  the  citi- 
zens to  uncommon  efforts  in  defence  of  every 
thing  interesting  to  freemen.  His  personal 
industry  was  unparalleled.  His  orders,"^  with 
respect  to  extinguishing  accidental  fires,  ad- 
vancing the  public  works,  as  well  as  in  regard 
to  other  important  objects,  were  perfecUy  mili- 
tary and  proper.  But  his  health  was,  for  a 
while,  impaired  by  his  unrelaxed  exertions. 

The  Commander  in  Chief  having,  in  spite  of 
all  obstacles,  made  good  his  retreat  over  the 
Delaware,  wrote  to  General  Putnam  from  his 
Camp  above  the  Falls  of  Trenton,  on  the  very 
day  lie  re-crossed  the  river  to  surprise  the 
Hessians,  expressing  his  satisfaction  at  the  re<* 
establishment  of  that  GeneraPs  health,  and  in- 
forming, that  if  he  had  not  himself  been  well 
convinced  before  of  the  enemy's  intention  to 
possess  themselves  of  Philadelphia,  as  soon  as 
the  frost  should  form  ice  strong  enough  to 

*  Ai  A  ipeoimen,  the  following  Is  preserved  : 

"  GEN B HAL  ORDERS. 

**  Heail-Quavtert,  Philadelphia^  December  14, 1776. 

"Colonel  (iriffln  it  Hppninted  \(ljuunt-( General  to  the  troops  in 
and  about  t.hii  eity.  All  orders  from  the  General,  through  liim, 
either  written  or  verbitl,  ttre  to  be  strictly  attended  to  and  punc- 
tunlly  obeyed. 

«  In  cHse  of  an  alarm  of  Are,  the  ciiy  guards  and  patrole^i  are  to 
suffer  the  iithabltHnts  to  pass,  unmolested,  at  any  hour  of  the  night; 
and  the  good  people  of  Philadelphia  are  earnestly  requested  and 
desired  to  give  every  aiiiitanoe  in  their  power,  with  engines  and 
buckets,  to  extingiiish  the  fire.  And  as  the  Congress  have  ordered 
the  eity  to  be  defended  to  the  laU  extremity,  tne  General  hopes 
that  no  person  will  refiiie  to  give  every  assistance  possible  to  com- 
plete  the  foriifloatiuui  that  are  to  buereeted  in  and  about  the  city* 


■f-. 


J 


» ■'* 


12 


«*  ISRAEL  PUTNAM." 


m 


yy  ■..^^■:-^-.-.-t.  -v''**i'-V"T   ■ 


130 


LIFE   OP   GENERAL    PUTNAM. 


transport  them  and  their  artillery  across  the 
Delaware,  he  had  now  obtained  an  intercepted 
letter  which  placed  the  matter  beyond  a  doubt. 
He  added,  that  if  the  citizens  of  Philadelphia 
had  any  regard  for  the  town,  not  a  moment's 
time  w  as  to  be  lost  until  it  should  be  put  in 
the  best  possible  posture  of  defence;  but  least 
that  should  not  be  done,  he  directed  the  re- 
moval of  all  public  stores,  except  provisions 
necessary  for  immediate  use,  to  places  of 
greater  security.  He  queried  whether,  if  a 
party  of  mililia  could  be  sent  from  Philadel- 

Ehia  to  support  those  in  the  Jerseys,  about 
lount  Holly,  it  would  not  serve  to  save  them 
from  submission  ?  At  the  same  time  he  signifi- 
ed, as  his  opinion,  the  expediency  of  sending 
an  active  and  influential  officer  to  inspirit  the 
people,  to  encourage  them  to  assemble  in 
arms,  as  well  as  to  keep  those  already  in  arms 
from  disbanding ;  and  concluded  by  manifest- 
ing a  wish  that  Colonel  Forman,  whom  he 
desired  to  see  for  this  purpose,  might  be  em- 
ploved  on  the  service 

The  enemy  had  vainly,  as  incautiously,  im- 
agined that  to  overrun  was  to  conquer.  They 
had  even  carried  their  presumption  on  our  ex- 
treme weakness,  and  expected  submission  so 
far  as  to  attempt  covering  tlie  country  through 
which  they  had  marched  with  an  extensive 
chain  of  cantonments.  That  link^  which  the 
post  at  Trenton  supplied,  consisted  of  a  Hes- 
sian brigade  of  infantry,  a  company  of  Chas- 


'/• . 


LIFE  OP  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


131 


geurs,  a  squadron  of  light  dragoons,  and  six 
fiyld  pieces.  \i  <jiglit  o'clock  in  the  ruorniiiff 
of  the  t*v<inty-sixth  of  Deceni'^ier,  G  neral 
Washington,  with  Ivvonty-rour  hundred  men, 
came  upon  them,  after  they  had  paraded,  took 
one  thousand  prisoners,  and  re-passed  the  same 
day,  without  loss,  to  his  encampment.  Aft 
soon  as  the  troops  were  recovered  from  their 
excessive  fatigue,  General  Washington  re- 
crosseJ  a  second  time  to  Trenton.  On  the 
second  of  January,  Lord  Cornwallis,  with  the 
bulk  of  ihe  British  army,  advanced  upon  him, 
cannonaded  his  post,  and  oifered  him  battle  i 
but  the  two  armu  s  being  separated  by  the  in- 
terposition of  Trenton  Creek,  General  Wash- 
ington had  it  in  his  option  to  decline  an  en- 
gagement, which  he  did  for  the  sake  of  strik- 
ing the  masterly  stroke  that  he  then  meditated. 
Having  kindled  frequent  fires  around  his  camp, 
posted  faithful  men  to  keep  them  burning,  aiid 
advanced  sentinels,  \vhose  fidelity  might  be 
relied  upon,  he  decamped  silently  after  dark, 
and,  by  a  circuitous  route,  reached  Princeton 
at  nine  o'clock  the  next  morning.  The  noiso 
of  tiie  firing,  by  which  he  killed  and  captured 
between  five  and  six  hundred  of  the  British 
brigade  in  that  town,  was  the  first  notice  Lord 
Cornwallis  had  of  this  stolen  march.  Gene- 
ral Washington,  the  project  successfully  ac- 
complished, instantly  filed  otf  for  the  moun- 
tainous grounds  of  Morris-  Town.  Meanwhile, 
his  Lordship,  who  arrived,  by  a  forced  marcht 


132 


LIPfi    OF    GENERAL    PUTNAM. 


at  Princeton,  just  as  he  had  left  it,  finding  the 
Americans  could  not  be  overtaken,  proceeded^ 
TFithout  halting,  to  Brunswick. 

On  the  fifth  of  Januarj,  1777,  from  Pluck- 
emin.  General  Washington  despatched  an  ac- 
count of  this  second  success  to  General  Put- 
nam, and  ordered  him  to  move  immediately, 
with  all  his  troops,  to  Crosvvick's,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  co-operating  in  recovering  the  Jersejs; 
an  event  which  the  present  fortunate  junclurc, 
while  the  enemy  were  yet  panic-struck,  ap- 
peared to  promise.  The  General  cautioned 
nim,  however,  if  the  enemy  should  still  con- 
tinue at  Brunswick,  to  guard  with  great  cir- 
cumspection against  a  surprise  ;  especially  ai 
they,  having  recently  suffered  by  two  attacks, 
-#  nould  scarcely  avoid  being  edged  with  resent- 
ment to  attempt  retaliation.  His  Excellency 
'  farther  advised  him  to  give  out  his  strength  to 
be  twice  as  great  as  it  was ;  to  forward  on  all 
the  baggage  and  scattering  men  belonging  to 
the  division  destined  for  Morris-Town ;  to  em- 
ploy as  many  spies  as  he  should  think  proper; 
to  keep  a  number  of  horsemen,  in  the  drebs  of 
the  country,  going  constantly  backwards  and 
forwards  on  the  same  secret  service;  and, 
lastly,  if  he  should  discover  any  intention  or 
motion  of  the  enemy  that  could  be  depended 
upon,  and  might  be  of  consequence,  not  to 
fail  in  conveying  the  intelligence,  as  rapidly 
as  possible  by  express,  to  Head^Quatters. 
Major- General  Putnam  was  directed  Boon  af« 


.-.  ^- 


LIFE   OF   GENE.iAL    PUTNAM. 


133 


^ 


ding  the 
ocecdedf 

11  Pluck- 
•d  an  ac- 
eral  Put- 
mediately, 
r  the  pui- 
;  Jerseys; 
junciure, 

truck,  ap- 
cautioned 

sliU  con- 
great  cir- 
pecially  ai 
vo  attacks, 
ith  rcsent- 
Excellency 
strengtl)  to 
ward  on  all 
longing  to 
wn ;  to  cm- 
nk  proper ; 
the  drebS  of 
wards  and 
vice ;    and, 
intention  or 
e  depended 
nee,  not  to 
,  as  rapidly 
^d-Quaaers. 
ted  Doon  af* 


tcr  to  take  post  at  Princeton,  were  he  contin- 
ued until  the  spring.  He  had  never  with  him 
more  than  a  few  hundred  troops,  though  he 
was  only  at  fifteen  miles  distant  from  the  ene- 
my's strong  garrison  of  Brunswick.  At  one  ^ 
period,  from  a  sudden  diminution,  occasioned 
by  the  tardiness  of  the  militia  turning  out  to 
replace  those  whose  time  of  service  was  ex- 
pired, he  had  fewer  men  for  duty  than  he  had 
miles  of  frontier  to  guard.  Nor  was  the  Com- 
mander in  Chief  in  a  more  eligible  situation. 
It  is  true,  that  while  he  had  scarcely  the  sem- 
Mance  of  an  army,  under  the  specious  parade 
of  a  park  of  artillery,  and  the  imposing  ap- 
pearance of  his  Head-Quarters,  established  at 
Morris-Town,  he  kept  up,  in  the  eyes  of  his 
countrymen,  as  well  as  m  the  opinion  of  his 
enemy,  the  appearance  of  no  contemptible 
force.  Future  generations  will  find  difficulty 
in  conceiving  how  a  handful  of  new-le\ied  men^ 
and  militia,  who  were  necessitated  to  be  in« 
oculated  for  the  small-pox  in  the  course  of  the 
winter,  could  be  subdivided  and  posted  so  ad- 
vantageously, as  effectually  to  protect  the  in- 
habitants, confine  the  enemy,  curtail  their 
forage,  and  beat  up  their  quarters,  without 
sustaining  a  single  disaster.  ^ 

In  the  battle  of  Princeton,  Captain  M'Pher- 
son,  of  the  17th  British  regiment,  a  very  wor- 
thy Scotchman,  was  desperately  woimded  in 
the  lungs,  am,!  left  with  tne  dead.  Upon  Gen- 
eral Putnaui^s  arrival  there,  he  found  him  Ian* 

12* 


4 


^ 


'^: 


♦•^ 


>#^ 


134 


t.^ ; 


LIFE  OP  GENERAL  PUTNAM, 


% 


-s^-^ 


guishing  in  extreme  distress,  without  a  sur- 
H  ^  geon,  without  a  single  accommodation,  and 
without  a  friend  to  solace  the  sinking  spirit  in 
the  gloom  J  hour  of  death.  He  visited,  and 
I  immediately  caused  ever j  possible  comfort  to 
be  administered  to  him.  Captain  MTherson, 
who,  contrary  to  all  appearances,  recovered, 
after  having  demonstrated  to  General  Putnam 
the  dignified  sense  of  obligations  which  a  gen- 
erous mind  wishes  not  to  conceal,  one  day,  in 
familiar  conversation,  demanded,  "  Pray,  Sir, 
what  countryman  are  you?" — "  An  American," 
answered  the  latter. — "  Not  a  Yankee  ?"  said 
the  other. — "  A  full  blooded  one,"  replied  the 
General.  "  By  G — d,  I  am  sorry  for  that,"  re- 

/  joined  MTherson,  ^^  1  did  not  thmk  there  could 
be  so  much  goodness  arid  generosity  in  an 
American,  or,  indeed,  in  any  body  but  a 
Scotchman." 

While  the  recovery  of  Captain  M'Pherson 
was  doubtful,  he  desii^d  that  General  Putnam 
would  permit  a  friend  in  the  British  army  at 
Brunswick  to  come  and  assist  him  in  making 
His  WILL.  General  Putnam,  who  had  then 
only  fifty  men  in  his  whole  command,  wos 
fiadly  embarrassed  by  the  proposition.  On 
the  one  hand,  he  was  not  content  that  a  Brit- 
ish officer  should  have  an  opportunity  to  spy 
out  the  weakness  of  his  post ;  on  the  other,  it 
was  scarcely  in  his  nature  to  refuse  complying 
with  a  dictate  of  humanity.  He  luckily  be- 
thought himself  of  an  expedient  which  he  has^^ 


#^- 


'V-if.; 


.,* 


W-- 


^  iM  , 


LIFE   OF   GENERAL   PUTNAM. 


135 


tened  to  put  In  practice.  A  flag  of  truce  was 
despatched  with  Captain  M'Pherson^s  request, 
but  under  an  injunction  not  to  return  with  his 
friend  until  after  dark.  In  the  evening  lights 
were  placed  in  all  the  rooms  of  the  College, 
and  in  every  apartment  of  the  vacant  houses 
throughout  the  town.  During  the  whole 
night,  the  fifty  men,  sometimes  altogether, 
and  sometimes  in  small  detachments,  were 
marched  from  different  quarters  by  the  house 
in  which  M'Pherson  lay.  Afterwards  it  was 
known  that  the  officer  who  came  on  the  visit, 
at  his  return,  reported  that  General  Putnam^s 
army,  upon  the  most  moderate  calculation, 
could  not  consist  of  less  than  four  or  five 
thousand  men. 

This  winter's  campaign,  for  our  ii  f>ops  con- 
stantly kept  the  field  alter  regaining  a  footing 
in  the  Jerseys,  has  never  yet  been  faithfully 
and  feelingly  described.  The  sudden  resto- 
ration of  our  cause  from  the  very  verge  of  ruin 
was  interwoven  with  such  a  tissue  of  inscru- 
table causes  and  extraordinary  events,  that, 
fearful  of  doing  the  subject  greater  injustice, 
by  a  passing  oisquisition  than  a  purposed  si- 
lence, 1  leave  it  to  the  leisure  of  abler  pens. 
The  ill  policy  of  the  British  doubtless  contrib- 
uted to  accelerate  this  event.  For  the  man- 
ner, impolitic  ab  Inhuman,  in  which  they  man- 
aged tneir  temporary  conquests,  tended  evi- 
dently to  alienate  the  affections  of  their  ad- 
herents, to  confirm  the  wavering  in  a^i  opposite 


% 


'  ■)'■ 


136 


LIFE    OP    GENERAL    PUTNAi... 


interest,  to  rouse  the  supine  into  activity,  to 
assemble  the   dispersed  to    the    standard    of 
America,  and  to  mfuse  a  spirit  of  revolt  into 
the  minds  of  those  men  who  had,  from  neces* 
sit  J,  submitted  to  their  power.  Their  conduct 
in  warring  with  fire  and  sword  against  tlie 
imbecility  of  youth,  and   the  decrepitude  of 
age ;  against  the  arts,  the  sciences,  the  curious 
inventions,  and  the  elegant  improvements  in 
civilized  life ;    against  the  melancholy  widow, 
the  miserable  orphan,  the  peaceable  professor 
of  humane  literature,  and  the  sacred  minister 
of  the  gospel,  seemed  to  operate  as  powerful- 
ly, as  if  purposely  intended  to  kindle  the  dor- 
mant spark  of  resistance  into  an  inextinguish- 
able flame.     If  we  add  to  the  black  catalogue 
of  provocations  already  enumerated  their  in- 
satiable rapacity  in  plundering  friends  and  foes 
indiscriminately  ;    their  libidinous  brutality  in 
violating  the  chastity  of  the  female  sex  ;  their 
more  than  Gothic  rage  in  defacing  private 
writings,  public  records,  libraries  of  learning, 
dwellings  of  individuals,  edifices  for  education, 
and  temples  of  the  Deity;  together  with  their 
insufferable    ferocity,   unprecedented    indeed 
among  civilized  nations,  \\\  murdering  on  the 
field  of  battle  the  wounded  while  begging  for 
mercy,  in  causing  their  prisoners  to  lamish 
with  hunger  and  cold  in  prisons  and  prison 
ships,  and  in  carrying  their  malice    beyond 
death  itself,  by  denymg  the  decent  rites  of 
sepulture  to  the  dead  ;  we  shall  not  be  as  ton- 


'Jf 


ity,  to 

ifd     of 

It  into 
neces- 
onduct 
ist  the 
ude  of 
curious 
ents  in 
widow, 
rcfessor 
[ninister 
)werful- 
he  dor- 
inguish- 
italogue 
their  in* 
and  foes 
tality  in 
;  their 
private 
earning, 
ucation, 
th  their 
indeed 
l>*  on  the 
giiig  for 
famish 
i  prison 
beyond 
rites  of 
je  aston- 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


■  «-'4?^  - 


ia7 


ished  that  the  yeoman  rj  in  the  two  Jerseys, 
when  the  first  ^hmmering  of  hope  began  to 
break  in  upon  them,  rose  as  one  man,  with  the 
unalterable  resolution  to  perish  in  the  generous 
cause,  or  expel  their  merciless  invaders. 

TJie  principal  officers,  stationed  at  a  varietr 
of  well-chosen,  and  at  some  almost  inaccessi- 
ble  positions,  seemed  all  to  be  actuated  by  the 
same  soul,  and  only  to  vie  with  each  other  in 
giving  proofs  of  vigilance,  enterprise  and  val- 
our. From  what  has  been  said  respecting  the 
scantiness  of  our  aggregate  force,  it  wul  be 
concluded,  that  the  number  of  men,  under  the 
orders  of  each,  was  indeed  very  small.  But 
the  uncommon  alertness  of  the  troops,  who 
were  incessam.y  hovering  round  the  enemy  in 
scouts,  and  the  constant  communication  tney 
kept  between  the  several  stations  most  con- 
tiguous to  each  other,  agreeably  to  the  in- 
structions''*' of  the  General  in  Chief,  together 

*  The  annexed  private  orders  to  Lord  Stirling  will  show,  in  % 
tacotiio  and  military  manner,  the  system  of  service  then  pursued  : 

<*  To  Brigadier-General  Lord  Stibling.  i 

•*  My  Lord, 
"Yon  are  to  repair  to  Ba&kenridge,  and  lake  upon  you  the  com- 
mnnd  of  the  troops  now  there,  and  such  as  may   be  sent  to  your 

iUVC. 

"Vou  are  to  endeavour,  as  much  as  possible,  to  harass  and  an- 
noy llie  enemy,  by  keeping  scouting  parties  constantly,  or  as  t're- 
queiitly  us  pnsHiMe,  arouml  their  quaiters. 

"  As  )0u  will  he  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Generals  Dickenson 
and  Warner,  1  recommend  it  to  you  to  keep  up  a  correspondence 
with  ilietn,  and  endeavour  to  regulate  yo>  <*  parties  by  theirs,  so  aa 
to  liHVe  some  constantly  out. 

"  Use  every  means  in  your  power  to  obtain  intelligence  from  the 
enemy  ;  which  may  possibly  be  better  eflTeeled  by  engaging  som* 


*, 


J-iT: 


r.?" 


laa 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


'j^-i!- 


with  their  readiness  in  giving,  and  confidence 
of  receiving  such  reciprocal  aid  as  the  exigen- 
cies might  require,  served  to  supply  the  defect 
of  force. 

This  manner  of  doing  duty  not  only  put  our 
own  posts  beyond  tiie  reach  of  sudden  insult 
and  surprise,  but  so  exceedingly  harassed  and 
intimidated  the  enemy,  that  foragers  were  sel- 
dom sent  out  by  them,  and  never  except  in 
very  large  parties.  General  Dickenson,  who 
commanded  on  Gen'^ral  Putnam's  left,  discov- 
ered, about  the  20th  of  January,  a  foraging 
party,  consisting  of  about  four  hundred  men, 
on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Mill-stone^  two 
miles  from  Somerset  court-house.  As  the 
bridge  was  possessed  and  defended  by  three 
field-pieces,  so  that  it  could  not  be  passed, 
General  Dickenson,  at  the  head  of  four  hun- 
dred militia,  broke  the  ice,  crossed  the  river 
where  the  water  was  about  three  feet  deep, 
resolutely  attacked,  and  totally  defeated  the 
foragers.  Upon  their  abandoning  the  convoy, 
a  few  prisoners,  (brty  waggons,  and  more  than 
a  hundred  draft  horses,  with  a  considerable 
booty  of  cattle  and,  sheep,  fell  into  his  hands. 


'5^ -si 


of  those  people  who  have  obtained  Protections  to  go  in,  under  pre- 
tence of  asking  «dvice,  tliiin  by  any  other  lueans. 

*•  You  will  also  use  every  means  in  your  power  to  obtain  and 
oomtnunicate  the  earliest  accounts  of  the  enemy  s  movemdils; 
and  to  usBenibh>,  in  the  speediest  manner  possible,  your  troops 
either  for  offence  or  defence 

**  Given  at  Head-^nartera,  the  fourth  dny  of  February,  M77. 

"  GEO.  WASHINGTON/' 


r.v>''''^fji"'v*'  "-■■if-i' " 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


139 


Nor  were  our  operations  on  General  Put- 
nam's right  flank  lens  fortunate.  To  give 
countenance  to  the  numerous  friends  of  the 
British  government  in  t*  county  of  Mon- 
mouth appears  to  have  been  a  principal  motive 
with  Sir  William  Howe  for  stretching  the 
chain  of  his  cantonments,  by  his  own  confes- 
sion,'* previously  to  his  disaster,  rather  too 
far.  After  tliat  chain  became  broken,  as  I 
have  already  related,  by  the  blows  at  Trenton 
and  Princeton,  he  was  obliged  to  collect,  dur- 
ing"  the  rest  of  the  winter,  the  useless  remains 
in  liis  barracks  at  Brunswick.  In  the  mean- 
time, General  Putnam  was  much  more  suc- 
cessful in  his  attempts  to  protect  our  dispersed 
and  dispirited  Triends  in  the  same  district; 
who,  environed  on  every  side  by  envenJI^d 
adversaries,  remained  inseparably  rivetted  in 
aifection  to  American  independence.  He  first 
detached  Colonel  Gurney,  and  afterwards  Ma^ 

*  Extract  of  a  letter  from  General  Sir  William  Howe  to 
Lord  <>BORGB  Gekmaine,  dated  JV&to-YorlCy  Decjmbev  20, 
1776. 

Having  mentioned  the  fruitless  altpmpt  of  Lord  Cornwallis  (o 
find  bums  at  Corryel'it  ferry  to  pass  the  Delavfare—- he  proceeds 
tims: 

"The  passage  of  the  Delaware  being  thus  rendered  impractica- 
ble, liiB  Lordithip  took  post  at  ^euniiigton,  in  which  place  and 
Trenton  the  two  divisions  reirtained  until  the  fourteenth,  when  the 
weather  hayinf;  become  too  severe  to  keep  the  field,  and  the  win- 
tC'  cantonments  being  arranged,  the  troops  marched  from  both 
places  to  their  respeolive  stalitnis  The  chain,  /own,  is  rathe*'  too 
cxtenaive,  hut  I  was  induced  to  occupy  Burlington  to  co^vr  (he 
county  if  Monmouth,  in,  which  there  are  many  loyai  inhabitHnts ; 
and  trusting  to  <he  almost  general  submission  of  the  countr>  to  ihe 
southward  of  this  ctiHin,  and  ft  the  strength  of  the  corps  placed  hx 
tliu  advauocd  puvis,  1  oouolude  the  troops  will  be  in  perfect  secu- 
rity.'* , 


-ss, 


140 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


jor  Davis,"^  with  such  parties  of  militia  as 
could  be  spared,  for  their  support.  Several 
skirmishes  ensued,  in  which  our  people  had  al- 
ways the  advantage.  They  took,  at  different 
times,  many  prisoners,  horses  and  waggons 
from  foraging  parties.  In  effect,  so  well  did 
they  cover  tne  country,  as  to  induce  some  of 
the  most  respectable  inhabitants  to  declare, 
that  the  security  of  the  persons,  as  well  as  the 
salvation  of  the  property  of  many  friends  to 
freedom  watj  owing  to  the  spirited  exertions  of 
these  two  detachments ;  who,  at  the  same 
time  that  they  rescued  the  country  from  the 
tyranny  of  tories,  afforded  an  opportunity  for 
the  militia  to  recover  from  their  consternation, 
to  embody  themselves  in  warlike  array,  and  to 
Btand  on  their  defence. 
'  During  this  period,  General  Putnam  having 
received  unquestionable  intelligence  that  a 
party  of  refugees,  in  British  pay,  had  taken 

Eost,  and  were  erecting  a  kind  of  redoubt  at 
lawrence's  Neck,  sent  Colonel  Nelson,  with 


*  As  there  happened  to  be  in  my  possession  a  copy  of  one  of  his 
letters  to  those  officers,  it  wns  thought  worttty  of  insertion  here,  in 
order  to  demonstiate  his  satistaotion  with  their  conduct. 

'<To  Major  John  Davis,  of  the  third  Battalioo  of  Cumberland 

"County  Militia. 
"  Sir, 
*•  I  am  much  obliged  to  you  for  your  activity,  vigour,  and  dili- 
gence since  you  have  been  under  my  command  ;  you  will,  therefore, 
inarch  your  men  to  Phiiudetpliia,  and  there  discharge  them  ;  re- 
turning into  the  store  all  the  ammunition,  arms  and  accoutrement" 
you  received  at  that  place. 

**  1  am,  Sir,  your  humble  servant, 

« ISRAEL  PUTNAM. 
"  PHncetmt  February  5,  1777." 


-«*■ 


::M 


LIF&  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


141 


'  Cumberland 


one  hundred  and  fifty  militia,  to  surprise  them. '' 
That  officer  conducted  with  so  much  secrecy 
and  decision  as  to  take  the  whole  prisoners. 
These  refugees'*  were  commanded  by  Major 
Stockton,  belonging  to  Skinner^s  brigade,  and 
amounted  to  sixty  in  number. 

A  short  time  after  this  event  Lord  Corn- 
wallis  sent  out  another  foraging  party  towards 
Bound-Brook.  General  Putnam,  having  re- 
ceived notice  from  his  emissaries,  detached 
Major  Smith,  with  a  few  riflemen,  to  annoy 
the  party,  and  followed  himself  with  the  rest 
of  his  force.  Before  he  could  come  up.  Major 
Smith,  who  had  formed  an  ambush,  attacked 
the  onemy,  killed  severa  horses,  took  a  iew 
prisoners  and  sixteen  baggage-waggons,  with- 
out sustam'ng  any  injury.  By  such  opera- 
tions, our  hero,  in  the  course  of  the  wmter, 
captured  nearly  a  thousand  prisoners. 

In  the  latter  part  of  February  General 
Washington  advised  General  Putnam,  that,  in 
consequence  of  a  large  accession  of  strength 
from  New-York  to  the  British  army  at  Bruns- 
wick,^ it  was  to  be  apprehended  they  would 
soon  make  a  forward  movement  towards  tho 

*  Extract  of  a  fetter  from  Genevnl  Putnam  t9  the  CouncU  of 
^^f^ty  kf  Pennsylvania^  tinted  at  Princeton^  Pedruary  18, 

1777. 

"  Yesterday  eveninfy  Colonel  Nelson,  with  a  hundred  and  fifty 
men,  at  Lawrence's  Neck,  attacked  sixty  men  of  Cortlandt  Skin- 
ner's Brigftde,  commanded  by  the  enemy's  renowni^d  Lamq 
Pilot  JKajor  Riehartf  Stockton^  routed  them,  and  took  the 
whole  prisoners-^amongthem  the  Majitr,  a  Captain  and  thrcf  Hub- 
alterns,  with  spventy  stand  of  arms.  Fijfty  of  the  Jiei^ford  P^nti" 
iylvania  Rifiemen  behaved  like  veterant. 

13 


'  f* 


m 


142     LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


^i^fJjp,^ 


Pelawaie :  in  which  case  the  latter  was  direct- 
ed to  cross  the  river  with  his  actual  force,  to 
assume  the  command  of  the  militia  who  might 
assemble,  to  secure  the  boats  on  the  west  side 
of  the  D(^  la  ware,  and  to  facilitate  the  passage 
of  the  rest  of  the  army.  But  the  enemy  did 
not  remove  from  their  winter-quarters  until 
the  season  arrived  when  green  forage  could 
be  supplied.  In  the  intermediate  period,  the 
correspondence  on  the  part  of  General  Putnam 
with  the  Commander  in  Chief  consisted  prin- 
cipally of  reports  and  enquiries  concerning  ihe 
treatment  of  some  of  tiie  following  descriptions 
of  persons:  cither  of  those  who  came  within 
our  lines  with  flags  and  pretended  flags,  or 
who  had  taken  protection  from  the  enemy,  or 
who  had  been  reputed  disaffected  to  our  cause, 
or  who  w^ere  designed  to  be  comprehended  in 
the  American  Proclamation,  which  required 
that  those  who  had  taken  protections  should 
give  them  to  the  nearest  American  oflicer,  or 

fo  within  the  British  lines.     The  letters  of  his 
Ixcellency  in  return,  generally  advisory,  were 
indicative  of  confidence  and  approbation. 

When  the  spring  had  now  so  far  advanced 
that  it  was  obvious  the  enemy  would  soon 
take  the  field,  the  Commander  in  Chief,  after 
desiring  General  Putnam  to  give  the  officer 
who  was  to  relieve  him  at  Pnnceton,  all  the 
information  necessary  for  the  conduct  of  that 
post,  appointed  that  General  to  the  comnrand 
of  a  separate  army  in  the  Highlands  of  New- 
York. 


LIFE    OF   OGNERAL   PUTNAM. 


143 


It  is  scarcely  decided,  from  any  docuraentd 
yet  published^  whether  the  preposterous  plant 
prosecuted  by  the  British  Generals  in  the  cam- 
pai^n  of  1777,  were  altogether  the  result  of 
their  orders  from  home,  or  whether  they  part- 
ly originated  from  the  contingences  of  the  mo- 
ment.    The  system  which,  at  the  time,  tended 
to  puzzle  all  human  conjecture,  when  devel- 
oped, served  also  to  contradict  ail  reasonable 
calculation.     Certain  it  is,  the  American  Com- 
mander in  Chief  was,  for  a  considerable  time, 
so  perpleT^ed  with  contradictory  appearances, 
that  be  knew  not  how  to  distribute  nis  troops, 
with  his  usual  discernment,  so  as  to  oppose 
the  enemy  with  equal  prospect  of  success  in 
different  parts.     The  gathering  tempests  me- 
naced the  northern  frontiers,  the  posts  in  the 
Highlands,  and  the  city  of  Philadelphia ;    but 
it  was  still  doubtful  where  the  fury  ot  the  storm 
would  fall.     At  one  time  Sir  William  Howe 
was  forcing  his  way  by  land  to  Philadelphia ; 
at  another,  relinquishing   the  Jerseys ;    at  a 
third,  facing  round  to  make  a  sudden  inroad  ; 
then  embarking  with  all  the  forces  that  could 
be  spared  from  New-York;   and  then  putting 
out  to  sea,  at  the  very  moment  when  General 
Burgoyne  had  reduced  Ticonderoga,  and  seem- 
ed to  require  a  co-operation  in  another  quar- 
ter. 

On  our  side,  we  have  seen  that  the  old  Con- 
tinental army  expired  with  the  year  1776; 
since  which,  invention  had  been  tortured  with 


* 


/   . 

144 


■;»",  -'^TO'' 


.*%. 


LIFE    OP  GENERAL    PUTNAM. 


^1 


ii 


expedients,  and  zeal  with  efforts  to  levy  an- 
other: for  on  the  success  of  the  recruiting 
service  depended  the  salvation  of  the  country. 
The  success  was  such^as  not  to  puff  us  up  to 
presumption,  or  depress  us  to  despair.  The 
army  in  the  Jerseys,  under  the  orders  of  the 
General  in  Chief,  consisted  of  all  the  troops 
raised  south  of  the  Hudson ;  that  in  the  nortn- 
ern  department,  of  the  New-Hampshire  brig- 
ade, two  brigades  of  Massachusetts,  and  the 
brigade  of  New- York,  together  with  some  ir- 
regular corps ;  and  that  in  the  Highlands,  of 
the  remaining  two  brigades  of  Massachusetts, 
the  Connecticut  line,  consisting  of  two  brigades, 
the  brigade  of  Rhode-Island,  and  one  regiment 
of  New- York.  Upon  hearing  of  the  Toss  of 
Ticonderoga,  and  the  progress  of  the  British 
towards  Albany,  General  Washington  ordered 
the  northern  army  to  be  reinforced  with  the 
two  brigades  of  Massachusetts,  then  in  the 
Highlands ;  and,  upon  finding  the  army  under 
his  immediate  •:;ommand  out-numbered  by  that 
of  Sir  William  Howe,  which  had,  by  the  cir- 
cuitous route  of  the  Chesapeak,  invaded  Penn- 
sylvania, he  also  called  from  the  Highlands 
one  of  the  Connecticut  brigades,  and  that  of 
Riiode-Islaiid  to  his  own  assistance. 

In  the  neighbourhood  of  General  Putnam 
there  was  no  enemy  capable  of  exciting  alarms. 
The  army  left  at  New-York  seemed  only  de- 
signed for  its  defence.  In  it  were  several  en- 
tire corps,  composed  of  tories,  who  hud  flock- 


t  IK 


If 


LIFE    OF   GENERAL   PUTNAM. 


145 


ed  to  the  British  standard.  There  was,  besides, 
a  band  of  lurking  miscreants,  not  properlj  en- 
rolled, who  staid   chiefly  at  West-Chester; 
from  whence  they  infested  the  country  be- 
tween the  two  armies,  pillaged  thp  cattle,  and 
carried  off  the  peaceable  innabitants.     ft  wat 
an  unworthy   policy   in    British  generals   to 
patronize  banditti.     The  whig  inhabitants  on 
the  edge  of  our  lines,  and  still  lower  down, 
who  had  been  plundered  in  a  merciless  man- 
ner, delayed  not  to  strip  the  tories  in  return. 
People  most  nearly  connected  and  allied  fre- 
quently became  most  exasperated  and  invete- 
rate in  malice.     Then  the  tics  of  fellowship 
were    broken — then    friendship   itself  being 
soured  to  enmity,  the  mind  readily  gave  way 
to  private   revenge,  uncontrolled   retaliationi 
and  all  the  deforming  passions  that  disgrace 
humanity.   Enormities,  almost  without  a  name, . 
VTere  perpetrated,  at  the  description  of  which,, 
the  bosom,  not  frozen  to  apathy,  must  glow 
with  a  mixture  of  pity  and  indignation.     To 
prevent  the  predatory  incursions  from  below,, 
and  to  cover  the  county  of  West-Chester,  Gen* 
era!  Putnam  detaclied  from  his  Head-Qua rkers, 
at  Peek's-Kill,  Meigs^s  regiment,  which,  in  the; 
course  of  the  campaign,  struck  several  pnrti^ 
zan  strokes,  and  achieved  the  objects  fur  which, 
it  was  sent.     He  likewise  took  measures,  with-  • 
out  noise  or  ostentation,  to  secure  himself  froitti 
he'mjjr  surprised  and  carried  within  the  British t 
lines  by  tne  tories,  who  bad  foroied  a  plau  iori* 
13* 


#* 


^'.;  t 


146 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


'* 


f* 


the  purpose.  The  information  of  this  intend- 
ed enterprise,  conveyed  to  him  through  several 
channels,  was  corroborated  bj  that  obtained 
and  transmitted  by  the  Commander  in  Chief. 

It  was  not  wonderful  that  many  of  these  lo- 
ries were  able,  undiscovered^  to  penetrate  far 
into  the  country,  and  even  to  go  with  lettcrA 
or  messages  from  one  British  army  to  another. 
The  inhabitants  who  were  well  auected  to  the 
royal  cause,  afforded  them  every  possible  sup- 
port, and  their  own  knowledge  of  the  different 
routes  ^ave  them  a  farther  facility  in  perform- 
ing their  perigrinations.  Sometimes  the  most 
active  loyalists,  as  the  tories  wished  to  denom- 
inate themselves,  who  had  gone  into  the  Brit- 
ish posts,  and  received  promises  of  commissions 
upon  enlisting  a  certain  number  of  soldiers, 
came  back  again  secretly  with  recruiting  in* 
»iiUctions.  sometimes  these,  and  others  who 
came  from  the  enemy  within  the  verjge  of  our 
camps,  were  detected  and  condemnedto  death, 
in  conformity  to  the  usages  of  war.  But  the 
British  generals,  who  had  an  unlimited  supply 
of  money  at  their  command,  were  able  to  pay 
'with  so  much  liberality,  that  emissaries  could 
always  be  found.  Still,  it  is  thought  that  the 
intelligence  of  the  American  commauders  was, 
at  least,  eaually  accurate  ;  notwithstanding  iho 
poverty  of  their  military  chest,  and  the  inabil- 
ty  of  rewarding  mercenary  agents,  for  secret 
services,  in  proportion  to  their  risk  and  merit. 

A  person,  by  the  name  of  Palmer,  who  was 
•a  lieutenant  in  the  tory  new  levies,  was  de- 


LtPE   OP   GENERAL    PUTNAM. 


147 


tected  in  the  camp  at  Peek's  Kill.  Governor 
Tryon,  who  commanded  the  new  levies,  re- 
claimed him  as  a  British  officer,  represented 
the  heinous  crime  of  condemning  a  man  com-  % 
missioned  by  his  Majesty,  and  threatened  ven- 
geance in  case  he  should  be  executed.  Gene-  . 
jal  Putnam  wrote  the  following  pithy  reply.    * 

"  Sir, 
"  Nf  thin  Palmer,  a  lieutenant  in  your  King's 
service,  was  taken  in  my  camp  as  a  Spy — he 
was  tried  as  a  Spy — he  was  condemned  as  a 
Spy — and  you  may  rest  assured,  Sir,  he  shall    , 
be  hanged  as  a  jSipy."  -*^a     k*      < 

"  1  have  the  honour  to  be.  Sic,  '^■■■^  ^ 

>      "  Israel  Putnam. 
"/>        Tcellency  Governor  Try  Off, 

*'  P.  S.  Afternoon.     He  is  hanged." 

Important  transactions  soon  occurred.  Not 
long  after  the  two  brigades  had  marched  from 
Peek's-Kill  to  Pennsylvania,  a  reinforcement 
arrived  at  New-York  from  Europe.  Appear- 
ances indicated  that  offensive  operations  would 
follow.  General  Putnam  havmg  been  reduc-"" 
ed  in  force  to  >x  single  brigade  in  the  field,  and 
a  single  regiment  in  garrison  at  Fort  Mont- 
gomery, repeatedly  informed  the  Commander 
HI  Chief,  that  the  posts  committed  to  his  charge 
miisti  in  all  probability,  be  lost,  in  case  an  at- 
tempt should  be  made  upon  them;  and  ihat, 
circumstanced  as  he  was,  he  could  not  be  res- 


•Jl 


^^1 


0^ 


v% 


146 


LIFE   OF   GENERAL   PUTNAM.. 


x 


ponsible  for  the  consequences;  His  situation 
was  certainly  to  be  lamented ;  but  it  was  not 
'I  the  power  of  the  Commander  in  Chief  to 
(•Iter  it,  except  by  authorising  him  to  call  upon 
the  militia  for  aid— an  aid  always  precarious, 
and  «  in  so  tardy,  as,  when  obtained,  to  be  of 
no  I     Ay, 

On  the  fifth  of  October  Sir  Henry  Clinton 
came  up  the  North-River  with  three  thousand 
men.  After  making  many  feints  to  mislead 
the  attention,  he  landed,  the  next  morning,  at 
Stony-Point,  and  commenced  his  march  over 
the  mountains  to  Fort  Montgomery.  Gover- 
nor Clinton,  an  active,  resolute,  and  intelligent 
officer,  who  commanded  the  garrison,  upon 
being  apprised  of  the  movement,  despatched  a 
letter,  by  express,  to  General  Putnam  for  suc- 
cour. By  tne  treachery  of  the  messenger, 
the  letter  miscarried.  General  Putnam,  as- 
tonished at  hearing  nothing  respecting  the 
enemy,  rode,  with  General  Parsons,  and  Col- 
onel Root,  his  Adjutant-General,  to  reconnoi- 
tre them  at  King's  Ferry.  In  the  mean-time, 
at  dve  o'clock  m  the  afternoon.  Sir  Henry 
Clinton's  columns,  having  surmounted  the  ob- 
stacles and  barriers  of  nature,  descended  from 
the  Thunder-Hill,  through  thickets  impassible 
but  for  light  troops,  and  ^attacked  the  differ- 

*  TKe  author  of  thene  Memoirs,  then  Major  of  BrigHde  to  the 
first  Coniicctivut  bri^ncle,  was  alone  at  ileacl-QuMriers  whi-  the 
firing  bfgan.  Me  haHteoed  to  Colonel  Wvllys  the  senior  officer 
in  camp,  anil  advised  liim  to  deH|iHtch  hI!  liie  men  uot  on  (Uit>  to 
Fort  Mentgomeiy,  withoui  waiting  for  erderr.    About  fivr  bufi' 


ent  r 

corid 

with 

been 

ing  o 

been 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


149 


atioD 
9  not 
ief  to 
upon 
lious, 
be  of 

Tinton 
»usand 
lislead 
Ing,  at 


cnt  redoubts.  Tl/fe  garrison,  inspired  by  the 
conduct  of  their  leaders,  defended  the  works 
with  distinguished  valour.  But,  as  the  post  had 
been  designed  principallj  to  prevent  tne  pass- 
ing of  ships,  and  as  an  assault  in  rear  had  not 
been  expected,  the  works  on  the  land  side 
were  incomplete  and  untenable.  In  the  dusk 
of  twilight,  the  British  entered  with  their  bayo- 
nets fixed.  Their  loss  was  inconsiderable. 
Nor  was  that  of  the  garrison  great.  Gover- 
nor Clinton,  his  brother  General  James  C  ih- 
ton,  Colonel  Dubois,  and  most  of  the  officers 
and  men  effected  their  escape  under  cover  of 
the  thick  smoke  and  darkness  that  suddenly 
prevailed.  The  capture  of  this  fort  by  Sir 
Henry  Clinton,  together  with  the  consequent 
removal  of  the  chains  and  booms  that  ob- 
structed the  navigation,  opened  a  passage  to 


-'^ 


■■^i^  '1 


(Ircd  men  marched  instantly  under  Colonel  Meigs;  nnd  the  author, 
>viili  Dr.  Beiircisley,  n  stirgeon  in  Ittc  brigade,  rode,  at  full  Sfieed, 
through  a  bye-path,  to  let  the  garrison  know,  that  a  reinforcement 
was  nn  its  inarch.  Notwithstanding  all  the  haste  these  ufficett 
made  to  and  over  the  river,  the  fuit  was  so  completely  invested  on 
their  arrival,  that  it  was  impossible  to  enter,  'i'liey  Avent  on  board 
the  new.friffate  which  lay  near  the  fortress,  and  had  the  raisfoitune 
to  bi'  ide,  uiough  not  unconcerned  speelators  of  '.he  storm.  They 
snw  the  tuinutest  actions  distinctly  when  the  works  were  carried. 
The  frigate,  after  receiving  several  platoons,  slipped  her  cable* 
."^nd  procec«k'd  a  little  way  up  the  river;  but  the  wind  and  tide  be- 
coming adverse,  the  crew  set  her  on  lire,  to  prevent  her  falling  in- 
to t'.c  hands  of  the  enemy,  whose  ships  were  approaching.  The 
louring  darkness  of  the  night,  the  profound  stillness  that  reig-.ed, 
the  interrupted  flashes  of  the  flames  that  illuminated  (he  waters, 
the  long  shad'iws  of  the  cliffs  thctt  now  and  then  were  seen,  the  ex» 
|dosioii  of  the  cannon  which  were  loft  loaded  in  the  ship,  and  the 
I'cverberaling  echo  which  resounded,  at  i^itervals,  between  the 
stupendous  mountains  on  both  sides  of  the  river,  composed  an  awful 
ni|<ht-pii;ce  for  persons  pr»'pared  by  the  preceding  scenes  to  oor» 
template  subjects  of  hor  d  sublimity. 

1 


150 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


Albany,  and  seemed  to  favour  a  junction  of  his 
force  with  that  of  General  Burgoyne.  But 
the  latter  having  been  compelled  to  capitulate 
a  few  days  after  this  event,  and  great  numht;r8 
of  militia  having  arrived  from  New-England, 
the  successful  army  returned  to  New-York ; 
yet  not  ,  fore  a  detachment  from  it,  under  the 
orders  f  General  Vauorhan,  had  burnt  the 
defenceless  town  of  Esopus,  and  several  scat- 
tering buildings  on  the  banks  of  the  river. 

Notwithstanding  the  army  in  the  Highlands 
had  been  so  much  weakened,  for  the  sake  of 
strengthening  the  armies  in  other  quarters,  as 
to  have  occasioned  the  loss  of  Fort  Montgom- 
ery, yet  that  loss  was  productive  of  no  conse- 
quences. Our  main  army  in  Pennsylvania, 
after  having  contend(  d  with  superior  force  in 
two  indecisive  battles,  still  held  the  enemy  in 
check;  while  the  splendid  success  which  at- 
tended our  arms  at  the  northward,  gave  a 
more  favourable  aspect  to  the  American  af- 
fairs, at  the  close  of  this  campaign,  than  tiicy 
had  ever  before  assumed. 

When  the  enemy  fiell  back  to  New-Vork  by 
water,  we  lollowed  them  a  part  of  the  way  by 
Jand.  Colonel  Meigs,  with  a  detachment  from 
the  several  regiments  in  General  Parsons'g 
brifjade,  havinsr  made  a  forced  march  from 
Crompond  to  West-Chester,  surprised  and 
broke  up  for  a  time  the  band  of  freebooters, 
of  whom  he  brought  oiT  Hfty,  together  with 
many  cattle  and  horses  which  they  had  recent- 
ly stolen. 


S 

advi 

had 

the 

erno 

venti 

hund 

fell  i 

other 

not  p 

the  \ 

and  a 

along 

icy  gi 

fessed 

chanai 

Gener 

chanai 

tiou  pi 

meanit 

Wh 

Roche 

to  Wt 

rounde 

Delano 

under 

brough 
ing.  ' 

ish  Ger 
head  of 
fegulai 
rd  < 


t«i» 


#;a?" 


LIFE   OF   QpERAL    PUTNAM. 


151 


n  of  hiA 
5.    But 
piiulate 
lumbcri 
iiigland, 
/-York ; 
ider  the 
irnt  tiie 
ral  scat- 
•iver. 
lighlandB 
;  sake  of 
arterSf  as 
lontgom- 
no  conse- 
nsyWania, 
r  force  in 
enemy  in 
which  at- 
,  gave  a 
erican  af- 
than  tiioy 


Soon  after  this  enterprise  General  Putnam 
advanced  towards  the  British  lines.  As  he 
had  received  intelligence  that  small  bodies  of 
the  enemy  were  out,  with  orders  from  Gov- 
ernor Tryon  to  bum  Wright's  mills,  he  pre- 
vented it  by  detaching  three  parties,  of  one 
hundred  men  in  each.  One  of  these  parties 
fell  in  with  and  captured  thirty-five,  and  an- 
other forty  of  the  new  levies.  But  as  he  could 
not  prevent  a  third  hostile  party  from  burning 
the  house  of  Mr.  Van  Tassel,  a  noted  whig 
and  a  committee-man,  who  was  forced  to  go 
along  with  them,  naked  and  barefoot,  on  the 
icy  ground,  in  a  freezing  night,  he,  for  the  pro- 
fessed purpose  of  retaliation,  sent  Captain  Bu- 
chanan, in  a  whale-boat,  to  burn  the  house  of 
General  Oliver  Delancy  on  York-Island.  Bu- 
chanan effected  his  object,  and  by  this  expedi- 
tion put  a  period,  for  the  present,  to  thdt  un- 
meaning and  wanton  species  of  destruction. 

While  General  Putnam  quartered  at  New- 
Rochel,  a  scouting  party,  which  had  been  sent 
to  West-Farms,  below  West-Chester,  sur- 
rounded the  house  in  which  Colonel  James 
Delancy  lodged,  and,  notwithstanding  he  crept 
under  thv^v  bed  the  better  to  be  concealed, 
brought  him  to  Head-Quarters  before  morn- 
ing. This  officer  was  exchanged  by  the  Brit- 
ish General  without  delay,  and  placed  at  the 
head  of  the  cow-boys,  a  licentious  corps  of  ir- 
regulars^ who  iu  the  sequel,  committed  un- 
heard of  depredations  and  excebses. 


it' 


>*- 


152 


LIFE    OF    GENERAL    PUTNAM. 


m^ 


% 


*  .^% . 


B/t.  ■■"■ 
■i' 


:Jfi^. 


■# 


f 


It  W4S  distressing  to  see  so  beautiful  a  part 
of  the  country  so  barbarously  wasted,  and  of. 
ten  to  witness  some  peculiar  scene  of  f«male 
misery  :  for  most  of  the  female  inhabitants 
had  been  obliged  to  fly  within  the  lines  pos- 
sessed by  one  army  or  the  other.  Near  our 
quarters  was  an  affecting  instance  of  human  vi- 
cissitude. Mr.  William  Sutton,  of  Maroneck, 
an  inoffensive  man,  a  merchant  by  profession, 
who  lived  in  a  decent  fashion,  and  whose  fam- 
ily had  as  happy  prospects  as  almost  any  in 
the  country,  upon  some  imputation  of  toryism, 
went  to  the  enemy.  His  wife,  oppressed  with 
grief  in  the  disagreeable  state  of  dereliction, 
did  not  long  survive.  Betsey  Sutton,  their 
eldest  daughter,  was  a  modest  and  lovely 
young  woman,  of  about  fifteen  years  old, 
when,  at  the  death  of  her  mother,  the  care  of 
five  or  six  younger  children  devolved  upon 
her.  She  was  discreet  and  provident  beyond 
her  years;  but  when  we  saw  her,  she  looked 
to  be  feeble  in  health — broken  in  spirit — wan, 
melancholy,  and  dejected.  She  said  ^^  that 
their  last  cow,  which  furnished  milk  for  the 
children,  had  lately  been  taken  away — that 
they  had  frequently  been  plundered  of  their 
wearing  apparel  and  furniture,  she  believed 
by  both  parties — that  they  had  little  more  to 
lose — and  that  she  knew  not  where  to  procure 
bread  for  the  dear  little  ones,  who  had  no  fa- 
ther to  provide  for  them" — no  mo/Acr-r—she 
was  going  to  have  said — but  a  torrent  of  teare 


/ 


li. 


M 


LIPB  OP  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


153 


\  a  part 
ana  of- 
female 
abitants 
les  pos- 
[ear  our 

• 

uman  vi- 
aroneck, 
ofession, 
lose  fam- 
st  any  in 
[  toryism, 
ssed  with 
3  reliction, 
ton,  tlitjir 
id    lovely 
rear3   old, 
he  care  of 
ved  upon 
it  beyond 
le  looked 
rit — wan, 
aid  "  that 
Ik  for  the 
way— that 
jd  of  their 
e  believed 
le  more  to 
to  procure 
had  no  fa- 

nt  of  tears 


ehoaked  articulation.  In  coming  to  that  part 
ol  the  country  again,  after  some  campaigns 
had  elapsed,  1  found  the  habitation  desolate, 
and  the  garfhn  oven  own  with  weeds.  Up- 
on inquiry,  1  learnt,  that  as  soon  as  we  left 
the  place^  some  rulhans  broke  into  the  house 
while  she  lay  in  bed,  in  the^tter  part  of  the 
night;  and  that,  havinij  been  terrified  by  their 
rudeness,  she  ran,  half-naked,  into  a  neigh- 
bouring swamp,  where  she  continued  until  the 
in>)rning — there  the  poor  girl  caught  a  violent 
cold,  which  ended  in  a  consumption.  It  finish- 
ed a  life  without  a  spot — and  a  career  of  suf- 
ferings commenced  and  continued  without  a 
fault. 

Sights  of  wretchedness  always  touched  with 
commiseration  the  feelings  of  General  Putnam, 
and  prompted  his  generous  soul  to  succour  the 
afflicted.  But  the  indulgence  whi^Ji  he  show- 
ed, whenever  it  did  not  militate  against  his  du- 
ty, towards  the  deserted  and  suffering  families 
of  the  tories  in  the  State  of  New- York,  was 
the  cause  of  his  becoming  unpopular  with  no 
inconsiderable  class  of  people  m  that  State. 
On  the  other  side,  he  hau  conceived  an  uncon- 
querable aversion  to  many  of  the  persons  who 
were  entrusted  with  the  disposal  of  tory-prop- 
erty,  because  he  believed  tn«m  to  have  been 
guilty  of  peculations  and  other  infamous  prac- 
tices. But  although  the  enmity  between  him 
and  the  sequestrators  was  acrimonious  as  mu- 
tual, yet  he  lived  [n  habits  of  amity  with  the 

14 


.T^' 


154 


LIFE  OP  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


inost  respectable  characters  in  public  depart- 
ments, as  well  as  in  private  liia. 

His  character  was  also  respected  by  the  en- 
emy. He  had  been  acquainted  with  many  of 
the  principal  officers  in  a  former  war.  As 
flags  frequently  passed  between  the  out-posts, 
during  his  continuance  on  the  lines/ it  was  a 
tommon  practice  to  forward  newspapers  by 
them;  and  as  those  printed  by  Rivington,  the 
royal  printer  in  New- York,  were  infamous  for 
the  falsehoods  with  which  they  abounded. 
General  Putnam  once  sent  a  packet  to  his  old 
friend  General  Robertson,  with  this  billet: 
"  Major-General  Putnam  presents  his  compli- 
ments to  Major-Gene  ral  Robertson,  and  sends 
him  some  American  newspapers  for  his  peru- 
sal— when  General  Robertson  shall  have  done 
with  them,  it  is  requested  they  be  given  to 
Rivington,  in  order  that  he  may  print  some 
truth." 

Late  in  the  year  we  left  the  lines  and  re- 

f  aired  to  the  Highlands  ;  for  upon  the  loss  of 
'ort  Montgomery,  the  Commander  in  Chief 
determined  to  build  another  fortification  for 
the  defence  of  the  river.  His  Excellency,  ac- 
cordingly, wrote  to  General  Putnam  to  fix  up- 
on the  spot.  After  reconnoitering  all  the  dif- 
ferent places  proposed,  and  revolving  in  his 
own  mind  t|ieir  relative  advantages  for  offence 
on  the  water  and  defence  on  the  land,  he  fix- 
ed upon  West-Point.  It  is  no  vulgar  praise 
to  say,  that  to  him  belongs  the  glory  of  having 


LIFB  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


15d 


chosen  this  rock  of  our  military  salvation.  Th# 
position  for  watf^r-batteries,  which  might  sweep 
the  cliannel  where  the  river  formed  a  right 
angle,  made  it  the  most  proper  of  any  for 
conmianding  the  navigation ;  while  the  rocky 
ridges  that  rose  in  awful  sublimity  behind 
each  other,  rendered  it  impregnable,  and  even 
incapable  of  being  invested  by  less  than  twen- 
ty thousand  men.  The  British,  who  consider- 
ed this  post  as  a  sort  of  American  Gibraltar^ 
never  attempted  it  but  by  the  treachery  of  an 
American  officer.  All  the  world  knows  that 
this  project  failed,  and  that  West-Point  con- 
tinues to  be  the  receptacle  of  every  thing  val- 
uable in  military  preparations  to  the  present 
day. 

In  the  month  of  January,  1778,  when  a 
snow,  two  feet  deep,  lay  on  tlie  earth.  General 
Parsons's  brigade  went  to  West-Point  and 
broke  ground.  Want  of  covering  for  the 
troops,  together  with  want  of  tools  and  mate- 
rials for  the  works,  made  the  prospect  truly 
gloomy  and  discouraging.  It  was  necessary 
that  means  should  be  found,  though  our  cur- 
rency was  depreciated,  and  our  treasury  ex- 
hausted. The  estimates  and  requisitions  of 
Colonel  la  Radiere,  the  engineer  who  laid  out 
the  works,  altogether  disproportioned  to  our 
circu^^otances,  served  only  to  put  us  in  mind 
of  our  poverty,  and,  as  it  were,  to  satirize  our 
resources.  His  petulent  behaviour  and  unac* 
commodating  disposition  added  further  ^m,* 


-^ 


\b^ 


LIFE    OF   GENERAL    PUTNAM. 


barrassments.  It  was  then  that  the  patriottsra 
of  Governor  Clinton  shone  in  full  lubtre.  His 
exertions  to  furnish  supplies  can  never  be  too 
much  commended.  His  influence,  arising  from 
his  popularity,  was  unltmhed :  yet  he  hesitated 
not  to  put  all  his  popularity  at  risk,  whenever 
the  federal  interests  demanded.  Notwith- 
standing the  impediments  that  opposed  our 
progress,  with  his  aid,  before  the  opening  of 
the  campaign,  the  works  were  in  great  for- 
wardness. 

According  to  a  resolution  of  Congress,  an 
inquiry  was  to  be  made  into  the  causes  of  mil- 
itary disasters.  Major-General  M'Dougall, 
Brigadier-General  Huntington,  and  Colonel 
Wigglesworth  composed  the  Court  of  Inquiry 
on  the  loss  of  Fort  Montgomery.  Upon  full 
knowledge  and  mature  deliberation  of  facts  on 
the  spot,  they  reported  the  loss  to  have  been 
occasioned  by  want  of  men,  and  not  by  any 
fault  in  the  commanders. 

General  Putnam,  who  during  the  investiga- 
tion was  relieved  from  duty,  as  soon  as  Con- 
gress had  approved  the  report,  took  command 
of  the  right  wing  of  the  grand  army,  under  the 
orders  of  the  General  in  Chief.  This  was 
just  after  the  battle  of  Monmouth,  whfh  the 
three  armies  which  had  last  year  acted  sepa- 
rately joined  at  the  White-Plains.  Our  enec- 
tive  force,  in  one  camp,  was  at  no  other  time 
so  respectable  as  at  this  juncture.  The  army 
consisted  of  sixty  regular  regiments  of  foot, 


%■ 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTMAM. 


157 


formed  into  fifteon  brigades,  four  battalions  of 
arililer)',  lour  regiments  of  horse,  and  several 
corps  of  State  troops.  But  as  the  enemj  kept 
close  within  their  hnes  on  York  Island,  nothing 
could  be  attempted.  Towards  the  end  of  au- 
tumn we  broke  up  the  camp,  and  went  first  to 
Fredericksburgh,  and  thence  to  winter-quar- 
ters. 

In  order  to  cover  the  country  adjoining^  to 
the  Sound,  and  to  support  the  garrison  of  Jrest- 
PoinU  in  case  of  an  attack.  Major  General 
Putnam  was  stationed  for  the  winter  at  Read- 
ing, in  Connecticut.  He  had  under  his  orders 
the  brigade  of  New-Hampshire,  the  two  brig- 
ades 01  Connecticut,  the  corps  of  infantry  com- 
manded by  Hazen,  and  that  of  cavalry  bj 
Sheldon. 

The  troops,  who  had  been  badly  fed,  badly 
cloathed,  and  worse  paid,  by  brooding  over 
their  grievances  in  the  leisure  and  inactivity  of 
winter-quarters,  began  to  think  them  intolera- 
ble. Tiie  Connecticut  brigades  formed  the 
design  of  marching  to  Hartford,  where  the 
General  Assembly  was  then  in  session,  and  of 
demanding  redress  at  the  point  of  t'i^^  bayonet. 
Word  having  been  brought  to  General  Put- 
nam, that  the  second  brigade  was  under  arms 
for  this  purpose,  he  mounted  his  horse,  gallop- 
ped  to  the  cantonment,  and  thus  addressed 
them :  "  My  brave  lads,  whither  are  you  go- 
ing? Do  you  intend  to  desert  your  officers^ 
and  to  invito  the  enemy  to  ibllow  you  into  the 

14* 


■;*^ 


158 


LIFE    OP    GENERAL    PUTNAM. 


r 


country  ?  Whose  cause  have  you  been  fightlncr 
anil  suffenng  so  long  in — is  it  not  joui  own? 
Have  you  no  property,  no  parents,  wives  or 
children  ?  You  have  behaved  likc^  men  so  far 
— ail  the  world  is  full  of  your  praises — and 
posterity  will  stand  astonished  at  your  deeds : 
but  not  if  yc  :  spoil  all  at  last  Don't  you 
consider  how  much  the  country  is  distressed 
by  the  v/ar,  and  that  your  officers  have  not 
been  any  better  paid  than  yourselves  ?  But 
we  all  expect  better  times,  and  that  the  coun- 
try will  do  us  ample  justice.  Let  us  all  stand 
by  one  another,  then,  and  fight  it  out  like 
brave  soldiers.  Think  what  a  shame  it  would 
be  for  Connecticut  men  to  run  away  from  their 
officms."  After  the  several  regiments  had  re- 
ceived the  General  as  he  rode  along  the  line 
with  drums  beatings  and  presented  arms^  the  ser- 
geants who  had  then  the  command,  brought 
tiie  men  to  an  order,  in  which  position  they 
continued  while  he  was  speaking.  When  he 
haii  done,  he  directed  the  actmg  M|ijor  of 
Brigade  to  give  the  word  for  them  to  shoul- 
der, march  to  their  regimental  parades,  and 
lodge  arms;  all  which  they  executed  with 
promptitude  and  apparent  good  humour.  One 
soldier,  only,  who  had  been  the  most  active, 
was  confined  in  the  quarter-guard ;  from 
whence,  at  night,  he  attempted  to  make  hit 
escape.  But  tne  sentinel,  who  had  also  been 
in  the  mutiny,  shot  him  dead  on  the  spot,  and 
thus  the  adair  gubgided. 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


159 


About  the  middle  of  winter,  while  General 
Putnam  was  on  a  visit  to  his  out-post  at  Horse- 
Neck,  he  found  Governor  Tryon  advancing 
upon  that  town  with  a  corps  of  fifteen  hundred 
nion.  To  oppose  these  General  Putnam  had 
only  a  picquct  of  one  hundred  and  fiitj  men, 
and  two  iron  field-pieces,  without  horses  or 
drag-ropes.  He,  however,  planted  his  cannon 
on  the  high  ground,  by  the  meeting-house, 
and  retarded  their  approach  by  firing  several 
times,  until,  perceivmg  the  horse  (supported 
by  the  infantry)  about  to  charge,  he  ordered 
the  picquet  to  provide  for  their  safety,  by  re- 
tiring to  a  swamp  inaccessible  to  horse,  and 
secured  his  own,  by  plunging  down  the  steep 
precipice  at  the  church  upon  a  full  trot.  This 
precipice  is  so  steep,  where  he  descended,  as 
to  have  artificial  stairs,  composed  of  nearly 
one  hundred  stone  steps,  for  the  arconnnoda- 
tion  of  foot  passengers.  There  tlie  Dragoons, 
who  were  but  a  sword's  length  from  him, 
stopped  short;  for  the  declivity  was  so  abrupt, 
thai  they  ventured  not  to  follow;  and,  before 
they  could  gain  the  valley,  by  going  round  f  iio 
brow  of  the  hill  in  the  ordinary  road,  he  was 
far  enough  beyond  their  reach.  Ha  continu- 
ed his  route,  unmolested,  to  Stanford ;  from 
whence,  having  strengthened  his  picquet  by 
the  junction  of  some  militia,  he  came  back 
again,  and,  in  turn,  pursued  Governor  Tryon 
in  his  retreat.*    As  he  rode  down  the  preci- 

*  In  this  reti'CRt,  (hough  with  a  very  inferior  force,  GtnertI' 
PnthRio  luRde  about  fifty  prisoners;  ^Hrt  uf  whom  wtrc  wounded, 


%\ 


Pfft  ■  ;!i'^.   '    '-  r~,^-:-   /■ 


160 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


/ 


pice,  one  ball,  of  the  many  fired  at  him,  wen  I 
through  his  beaver :  But  Governor  Tryon,  by 
way  of  compensation  for  spoiling  his  hat,  sent 
him,  scon  afterwards,  as  a  present,  a  complete 
suit  of  clothes. 

In  the  campaign  of  1779,  which  terminated 
the  career  of  General  Putnam's  servicea,  he 
commanded  the  Maryland  line,  posted  at  But- 

,  ter-Milk  falls,  about  two  miles  below  West- 
Point.  He  was  happy  in  possessing  the  friend- 

•  ship  of  the  officers  of  that  line,  and  in  living  on 
terms  of  hospitality  with  them.  Indeed,  tru'ro 
was  no  iliamily  in  the  army  that  lived  bettor 
than  his  own.  The  General,  his  second  son 
Major  Daniel  Putnam,  and  the  writer  of  those 
memoirs,  composed  that  family.  This  cam- 
paign, principally  spent  in  strengthening  the 
works  of  West-Point,  was  only  signalized  for 
the  storm  of  Stony-Point  by  the  light-infantry 
under  the  conduct  of  General  Wayne,  and  the 
surprise  of  the  post  of  Powles-Hook  by  the 
corps  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Henry 
Lee.  When  the  army  quitted  the  field,  and 
marched  to  Morris-Town,  into  winter-quarters, 
Gt',neral  Putnam's  family  went  into  Connecti- 
cut for  a  few  weeks.  In  December  the  Gene- 
ral began  his  journey  to  Morris-Town.  Up- 
on the  road  between  Pomfret  and  Hartford, 


And  the  whole  were  the  next  day  seat,  under  the  eaeori  of  An  ofll- 
eer's  guard,  to  the  British  lines  for  exchange.  It  wan  for  iho  liu- 
rntinitT  and  kindness  of  Putnam  to  the  wounded  ^Misonors,  ilmt 
Oorer'uor  Tryon  eomplimented  him  with  the  **  suit  of  elulhri " 


LIFE    Of   GENERAL    PUTNAM. 


161 


he  felt  an  unusual  torpor  slowly  pervading  his 
right  hand  and  foot.  This  heaviness  crept 
gradually  on,  until  it  had  deprived  him  of 
the  use  of  his  limbs  on  that  side,  in  a  consid- 
erable degree,  before  he  reached  the  house  of 
his  friend  Colonel  Wadsvvorth.  Still  he  wag 
unwilling  to  consider  his  disorder  of  the  para- 
lytic kind,  and  endeavoured  to  shake  it  olFby 
exertion.  Having  found  that  impossible,  a 
temporary  dejection,  disguised,  however,  un- 
der a  veil  of  assumed  cheerfulness,  succeeded. 
But  reason,  philosophy,  and  religion,  soon  re- 
conciled him  to  his  fate.  In  that  situation  he 
has  constantly  remained,  favoured  with  such 
a  portion  of  bodily  activity  as  enablen  him  to 
walk  and  to  ride  moderately ;  and  retaining, 
unimpaired,  his  relish  for  enjoyment,  his  love 
of  pleasantry,  his  strength  of  memory,  and  all 
the  faculties  of  his  rauid.  As  a  proof  tliat 
the  powers  of  memory  are  not  weakened,  it 
ougnt  to  be  observed,  that  he  has  lately  re- 
peated, from  recollection,  all  the  adventures 
of  his  life,  which  are  here  recorded,  and  which 
had  formerly  been  communicated  to  the  com- 
piler in  detached  conversations. 

In  patient,  yet  foarless  expectation  of  the 
approach  of  the  King  of  Terrors,  whom  he 
liath  full  often  faced  in  the  field  of  blood,  the 
Christian  i>cro  now  enjoys,  in  domestic  retire- 
ment, tho  fruit  of  his  early  industry.  Having 
in  youtli  provided  a  competent  subsistence  for 
old  ago,  lie  was  secured  from  the  danger  of 


-..^i»JLfc-..._,fe,-__',  .* 


162 


LIFE  OP  GENERAL  P0TNAM. 


penury  and  distress,  to  which  so  many  officers 
and  soldiers,  worn  out  in  the  public  service, 
have  been  reduced.  To  illustrate  his  merits 
the  more  fully,  this  Essay  will  be  concluded 
with  a  copy  of  the  last  letter  written  to  hi  .1, 
by  General  Washington,  in  his  military  char- 
acter. • 


■  B' 


K    ■■      ,  ^^  Head-Quarters^  2d  Jvne^Xl^^, 

« 

"  Dear  Sir, 

"  Your  favour  of  the  20th  of  May  I  receiv- 
ed with  much  pleasure.  For  I  can  assure  you 
that  among  the  many  worthy  and  meritorious 
officers  with  whom  I  have  had  the  happiness 
,  to  be  connected  in  service  through  the  course 
of  this  war,  and  from  whose  cheerful  assistance 
in  the  various  and  trying  vicissitudes  of  a 
complicated  contest,  the  name  of  a  Putnam  ig 
not  forgotten  ;  nor  will  be  but  with  that  stroke 
of  time  which  shall  obliterate  from  my  mind 
the  remembrance  of  all  those  toils  and  fatigues 
through  which  we  have  struggled  for  the  pre- 
servation and  establishment  of  the  Rights^ 
Liberties^  and  Independence  of  our  Country, 

"  Your  congratulations  on  the  happy  pro- 
spects of  peace  and  independent  security, 
with  their  attendant  blessings  to  the  United 
States,  I  receive  with  great  satisfaction ;  and 
beg  that  you  will  accept  a  return  of  my  gratu- 
lations  to  you  on  this  auspicious   event — an 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


169 


3  course 


event,  in  which,  great  as  it  is  in  itself,  and  glo- 
rious as  it  will  probably  be  in  its  consequences, 
jou  have  a  rigat  to  participate  largely,  from 
the  distinguished  part  you  have  contributed 
towards  its  attainment.  .     « 

^^  But  while  I  contemplate  the  greatness  of 
the  object  for  which  we  have  contended,  and 
felicitate  you  on  the  happy  issue  of  our  toils 
and  labours,  which  have  terminated  with  such 
general  satisfaction,  I  lament  that  you  should 
leel  the  ungrateful  returns  of  a  country,  in 
whose  service  you  have  exhausted  your  bodi- 
ly strength,  and  expended  the  vigour  of  a 
youthful  constitution.  I  wish,  however,  that 
your  expectations  of  returning  liberality  may 
be  verined.  I  have  a  hope  they  may — but 
should  they  not,  your  case  will  not  be  a  sin- 
gular one.  Ingratitude  has  been  experienced  in 
all  ages,  and  Republics,  in  particular,  have  ev- 
er been  famed  for  the  exercise  of  that  unnatural 
and  sordid  vice. 

"  The  Secretary  at  War,  who  is  now 
here,  informs  me  that  you  have  ever  been 
considered  as  entitled  to  full  ppy  since  your 
absence  from  the  field,  and  that  you  will  still 
be  considered  in  that  light  until  the  close  of 
the  war ;  at  which  period  you  will  be  equally 
eutitltid  to  the  same  emoluments  of  half-pay 
or  commutation  as  other  officers  of  your  rank. 
The  same  opinion  is  also  given  by  the  Pay- 
Master-General,  who  is  now  with  the  array, 
empowered  by  Mr.  Morris  for  the  settlement 


■* -J 


164 


LIFE  OP  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 


of  all  their  acrounts,  and  who  will  attend  to 
your's  whenever  you  shall  think  proper  to 
send  on  lor  the  purpose,  which  it  will  proba- 
bly be  best  for  you  to  do  in  a  short  time. 

'*  I  anticipate,  with  pleasure,  the  dnj^  and 
that,  1  trust,  not  far  off,  when  I  shall  «]uit  the 
busy  scene^s  of  a  military  employmtiit*  and  re- 
tire to  the  more  tranquil  waiks  (  f  dorufHliO 
life.  In  that,  or  whatever  other  situation 
Provide  nee  may  dispose  of  my  future  days, 

THE  REMEMBRANCE  OF  THE  MANY  FRIENDSRIFS 
AND  CONNECTIONS  1  fiAVE  HAD  THE  HAPPIKE83 
TO  CONTRACT  WITH  THE  GENTLI'MEN  OF  MfB 
ARMi\    WJLL    BE    ONE    OP    MY    MOST     GRATEFUL 

REFLECT  KsTs.  Under  this  contemplation^  and 
impressed  tvHk  the  sentiments  of  benevolence  and 
regard,,  I  commend  you^  my  dear  Sir^  my  other 
friends,,  and  with  them^  the  interests  and  happi' 
ness  of  our  dear  country^  to  the  keeping  and 

PROTECTION    OF    AlMIGHTY    GoD. 

'^  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  Jkc, 

"George  Washington. 


"  To  the  Honourable 

"  Major-General  Putnam.*' 


".■     S         '     ;/'  ■/-■■■■         T      "V      '  ' 


Lin:   OF  GfiRBRAL   PVTITAIf. 


165 


The  V^matnder  of  the  life  of  General  Put- 
oam  was  passed  in  <|uiet  petirement  with  bis 
family.  He  experienced  few  interruptions  in 
his  bodily  health,  (except  the  paralytic  debili- 
ty with  which  he  was  afflicted)  retained  full 
possession  of  his  mental  faculties,  and  en- 
joyed the  society  of  his  friends  until  the  17th 
of  May,  1790,  when  he  was  violently  attack- 
ed with  an  inflammatory  disease.  Satisfied 
from  the  first  that  it  would  prove  mortal,  he 
was  calm  and  resigned,  and  welcomed  the  ap** 
proach  of  death  with  joy,  as  a  messenger  sent 
to  call  him  from  a  life  of  toil  to  everlasting  rest 
On  the  19th  of  May,  1790,  he  ended  a  \ik 
which  had  been  spent  in  cultivating  and  de^ 
fending  the  soil  of^his  birth.  '''^* 

Much  of  his  life  had  been  spent  in  arms, 
and  the  military  of  the  neighbourhood  were 
desirous  that  the  rites  of  sepulture  should  be 
accompanied  ^ith  martial  honours :  they  felt 
that  this  last  tribute  of  respect  was  due  to  a 
soldier,  who,  from  a  patriotic  love  of  country, 
had  devoted  the  best  part  of  his  life  to  the  de- 
fence of  her  rights,  and  the  establishment  of 
her  independence — ^and  who,  through  long 
and  trying  services,  was  never  once  reproach- 
ed for  misconduct  as  an  officer;  but  when 
disease  compelled  him  to  retire  from  service, 
left  it,  beloved  and  respected  by  tlie  army  and 
his  chief,  and  with  hign  claims  to  the  grateful 
remembraDce  of  his  country.    .  '^ 


f^->-::. 


'»■ 


n 


I6& 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTNi^ 


iff" 


Under  these  impressioos,  the  grenadiers  of 
the  11th  regiment,' the  independent  corps  of 
artillerists,  and  the  militia  companies  in  the 
neighbourhood,  assembled  each  at  their  ap- 
pointed  rendezvous,  early,  on  the  morning  of 
the  21st,  and  having  repaired  to  the  Tate 
dwelling  house  of  the  deceased,  a  suitable  es- 
cort was  formed,  attended  bj  a  procession  of 
the  Masonic  brethren  present,  and  a  large 
concourse  of  respectable  citizens,  which  moved 
to  the  Congregational  meeting  house  in  Brook- 
lyn; and,  after  divine  service  performed  by  the 
Kev.  Dr.  Whitney,  rJl  that  was  earthly  of  a 
patriot  and  hero  was  laid  in  the  silent  tomb, 
under  the  discharge  of  voUies  from  the  infan- 
try, and  minute  guns  from  the  artillery.  ; 


f 

1 

'        '    ■     <                     ■       "  ,;f 

n 

t              .       -. 

■  ' ' 

b  , 

'a-  -,v,     .    -'•"  ^  >".    :-,,  -              ■           ■  "        ■*       r  ' 

1 

/ 

■   I 


r'jK: 


. -*^  '.. 


LIFE  OF  GENERAL  PUTirAll. 


I6<7 


The  following  ef/ilogium  was  pronounced  at  the 
grave  of  Uenertu  Putnam  In  Dr.  A*  Waldo.  ; 

■    ■  \ 

^^ Those  venerable  relics!  once  delighted 
in  the  endearing  domestic  virtues,  which  con- 
stitute the  excellent  neighbour — husband — 
parent — and  worthy  brother !  liberal  and  sub- 
stantial in  his  friendship; — unsuspicious — open 
—and  generous ; — just  and  sincere  in  dealing ; 
a  benevolent  citizen  of  the  world — He  concen- 
trated in  his  bosom,  the  noble  qualities  of  an 
Honest  Man.      , 

"  Born  a  hero — whom  nature  taught  and 
cherished  in  the  lap  of  innumerable  toils  and 
dangers,  he  was  terrible  in  battle  !  But,  from 
the  amiableness  of  his  heart — when  carnage 
ceased,  his  humanity  spread  over  the y^6/(2,  like 
the  refreshing  zephyrs  of  a  summer^s  evening ! 
— The  prisoner—- the  wounded — the  sick — ^the 
forlorn— experienced  the  delicate  sympathy  of 
this  SoLDiER^s  Pillar — The  poor,  and  the 
needy,  of  every  description,  received  the  chajr- 
itable  bounties  oithis  Christian  Soldier. 

"  He  pitied  littleness — ^loved  goodness — ad- 
mired greatness,  and  ever  aspired  to  its  glo- 
rious summit !  The  friend,  the  servant,  and 
almost  unparalljeled  lover  of  his  country  f-'- 
worn  with  honourable  age,  and  the  former , 
toils  of  war — Putnam  \  vRests  from  his  la- 
bours.' 


tt 


4  -.'■ 


v^ 


^i^Ji^k^vs^^Ab^.-'L  a 


i?«B 


IrlFB  OF   GENERAL   PUTNAM. 


0 


^     **Till  mouldering  worlds  and  tumbling  systems  burst  \ 
I    Whea  the  last  trump  shall  renovate  his  dust—*  . 
StiA  }ij  the  mandate  of  eternal  truth. 
His  soul  wUl '  fiouiish  in  immortal  jouth  \* " 


l»^av.v  1T<B 


'i<^-   -PT-Rt^ki^ 


[    "  This  all  who  knew  bim  know ; — this  a}!, 
.^ho  lov'd  bun,  tell."<i 


'.^^!^i;n^f''  ■■■!■-'•  •  'i'  ■ 


-t^-ji'y^  ^-"^^^ 

■!■'      . 

***•■  ; 

...;f,Kv:-::^^f -.,:-■ 

■   - 

i1£  'iK  c-r/y,-    ' 

-   -     •          h 

.'y    ' 

.Vr-  ■-■   ■   — 

■  i' 

b-:-  -M  ^  ■  ^      . 

-,■'  rt  '  ■ 

D^./'^  .:*»>>.    1  ■/>; 

-  -    !■ 

..  ■     ,'•. 

s    ■  1 


'V-    ! 


•^  « 


'.'.'  '  .  ,  ' 


2u 


'..!!>»» 


f.. 


.{;,:- 


_'•  ';  ;^ 


*"'  ■         -    -^  ■  ■     ■    ■•    •,..•,..■    .tW..4.afe'-.' .'  ;    f  ih.'yy  i'  ■'  ■ 

■ '       -  .x  s* 


■    t.-  ^  "■■■    .' 


<^»^ 


.    ;■*    ^...y^^-u  f^^-'.^fyr   ^ 


% 


m^ 


The  late  "Rev.  Dr»  Dwight,  President  of  Tale  College, 
who  knew  Qeneral  rutnam  intimately,  has  portray* 
ed  his  character  faithfuUtj  >.  the  following  inicrijp- 
tion,  which  is  engraven  on  his  tonib. 

Sacred  be  this  Monument 

to  the  memory  *    . 

of       .   '  :* 

Israel  Putnam,  EsquiRE, 
senior  Major  General  in  the  armies 

of  ' 

the  United  States  of  America; 

who 

was  born  at  Salem, 

in  the  Province  of  Massachusetts 

on  the  7th  day  of  January, 

A.  D.  iri8, 

and  died 

on  the  19th  day  of  May, 

%  A.  D.  1790. 

Passenger, 

if  thou  art  a  Soldier, 

drop  a  tear  over  the  dust  of  a  Hero> 

who, 

ever  attentive 

ttkthe  lives  and  happiness  of  his  mec(^ 

*  dared  to  lead 

where  anv  dared  to  follow ; 

if  a  Patriot, 

remember  the  distinguished  and  gallant  services 

rendered  thy  countrv 

by  the  Patriot  who  sleeps  beneatn  this  marble ; 

if  thou  art  honest,  generous  and  worthy, 

render  a  cheerful  tribute  of  respect 

to  a  man, 
vhose  generosity  was  singular, 
whose  nonesty  was  proverbial; 
who 
raised  himself  to  universal  esteem, 
and  offices  of  eminent  distinction,  '  •   ■  , 

by  personal  worth  *f  i 

and  a  ,^  U     " 

useful  life. 


10 


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APPENDIX. 


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^   HISTORICAL  AND  TOPOGRAPHICAL 


SKETCH 


OF 


TMIJ^HLIilL  111104  Tia.i:Ti«i&. 


Tiy  %.  a^fctt. 


V««VW\A>%VW  W\(WMVV«  -WVW%»VW»WVWVWVW^^/»^^^»^%V%»W»%%%' 


3iW'..a'-  -;i 


DISTRICT  OP  MASSACHUSETTS,  TO  WIT. 

Bhtrict  derk't  Offit», 

Bb  it  rxmbmbered,  that  on  the  ninth  day  of  Ssptomhtr, 
A.  D  1818,  and  in  the  forty 'third  year  of  the  Independenoe  of  th« 
United  States  of  America,  Samuel  Sweti  of  the  said  diitriet  ttai 
deposited  in  this  ofl[i«e  the  title  of  a  book,  the  right  wherooC  hi 
claims  as  author,  in  the  words  followingi  to  -wit  .* 

Historical  and  topographical  Sketch  of  Bunker  HUl  BtttlOi  wUk 
a  Plan.    B^  S.  Swelt. 

In  oonformity  to  the  Act  of  the  Congren  of  the  United  StaUi, 
entitled,  "  An  Act  for  the  encouragement  of  learnhig,  1^  leouriiti 
the  copies  of  mape,  charts  and  books,  to  the  authors  and  pt'oprlc* 
tors  of  such  copies,  during  the  times  therein  mentioned  i  anil  mImo 
to  an  Act  entitled,  **An  Act  supplementary  to  an  Aet*  «ntltl«df 
An  Act  for  the  eneouragement  of  learning,  by  seeorliig  the  eoplti 
of  maps,  charts  and  books,  to  the  authors  and  pronrietori  of  siieh 
copies,  during  the  times  therein  mentioned ;  and  eitendhig  tha 
benefits  thereof  to  the  arts  of  designing,  engraving  and  atohhig  hit* 
mrical  and  other  prkta.'* 

JOHN  W.  DAVIS, 
Cktlfeof  the  Dlitriot  of  MMiaohuictti. 


A' 


The  writer  of  the  following  has  no  ambi- 
tion or  pretensions  to  be  an  author,  but  from 
his  attention  to  military  subjects,  consented  to 
describe  a  battle,  one  of  the  most  glorious  and 
important  ever  fought  in  America,  and  to  ren- 
der his  feeble  contribution  to  the  monument 
of  fame  which  history  yet  owes  our  ancestors. 
The  materials  lay  scattered  among  newspa- 
pers, magazines,  records  and  files  of  Congress, 
the  scattered  surviving  veterans  of  the  day, 
and  others.  He  was  compelled  by  circum- 
stances to  commence  his  researches  in  July,  and 
finish  his  sketch  in  August ;  but  he  remind- 
ed himself  that  our  fathers  fought  for  us  in  the 
same  oppressive  season,  and  spared  no  efibrt 
to  render  the  work  complete.  Not  a  single 
fact  is  stated  of  which  he  has  not  the  most  sat- 
isfactory evidence.  That  the  public  owever 
may  judge  for  themselves,  he  has  (ieposited 
his  documents  and  proofs  for  their  iu»G  at  the 
Boston  Athaeneumi 


1^- 


White 
Cong! 
over  ( 
ieated 
them  i 
k  quai 

But 

Ward 

orders 

be  left 

ever, 

thirty 

sachus( 

hundrec 

States 

be    rer 

proport 

a  beacoi 

hard  J 

arms,  J 


PRELIMINARY  CHAPTER. 


y. 


3' 


«^' 


Ward,  Pomeroy,  Thomas,  Heath  and 
Whitcomb  were  appointed  by  the  Provincial 
Congress  of  Massachusetts  general  officers 
over  the  militia.  These  troops  having  d«3- 
feated  the  British  at  Lexington,  and  driven 
them  into  Boston,  could  no  longer  be  retained 
in  quarters. 

But  five  days  after  tlie  battte,  General 
Ward  writes  Congress  tiiat  unless  enlisting 
orders  be  immediately  furnished  him,  he  shall 
be  left  entirely  alone.  The  day  before,  how- 
ever, that  body  resolved,  that  an  army  of 
thirty  thousand  was  necessary,  that  Mas- 
sachusetts would  raise  thirteen  thousand  six 
hundred,  and  that  the  other  New  England 
States  should  have  notice  given  them,  and 
be  requested  to  furnish  their  respective 
proportions.  But  the  battle  of  Lexington  was 
a  beacon  fire  to  the  neighbouring  states.  The 
hardy  yeomen,  wlwjm  rage  supplied  with 
arms,  did  not  wait  to  be  sumiiioned  by  the 
1G 


> 


■■m. 


178 


BUNKER  HILL  BATTLE. 


f'^f- 


tardy  process  of  legislation ;  they  seized  their 
hunting  pieces,  and  flf  w  to  join  their  brethren 
at  the  scene  of  danger. 

The  Committee  of  Safety,  elected  anew  by 
Congress  at  every  session,  were  the  real 
executive  of  Massachusetts.  The  members 
were  now  John  Hancock  and  Benjamin 
Greenleaf,  who  never  took  their  seats,  John 
Pigeon  and  Enoch  Freeman,  seldom  present, 
and  Josepli  Warren,  chairman,  Benjamin 
Church,  Brnjamin  White,  Joseph  Palmer, 
Abraham  Watson,  Samuel  Hoiten,  Azor  Orne, 
Naihan  Cushing  and  Richard  Devens.  They 
were  empowered  generally  to  watch  over  the 
safety  of  the  commonwealth,  and  advise  Con- 
gress of  such  measures  as  they  thought  bene- 
licial,  and  expressly  commissioned  : 

"To  assemble  such  and  so  many  of  the 
"  Militia  and  them  to  dispose  and  place  where 
" and  detain  s)  long  as  said  Committee  ahall 
"judge  necessary,  and  discharge  said  Militia 
"  when  the  safety  of  the  Colony  will  admit. 
"  And  the  officers  of  the  said  Militia  are  en- 
"joyned  to  obey  the  orders  and  directions  of 
"  said  Ccmmittee  of  Safety.  And  also  to  lYwvxi 
"  the  army  of  thi&  Colon}  to  be  stationed  wliciie 
"said  Committee  of  .Safety  shall  judge  most 
"conducive  to  the  defence  and  service  ol  lliis 
"Colon),  and  the  general  and  oth^r  oflictrsuf 
"  the  army  are  requested  to  render  strict  obe- 


BUNKER  HILL  BATTLE. 


■+-,-.  •-.  ■■.*■.--- 


179 


"dience  to  such  orders  of  said  Committee ;  but 
**  Congress  have  power  to  control  anj  order  of 
"  the  C  jmmittee  of  Safety.  Also  to  nominate 
"persons  to  Congress  to  be  commissi  ined  ofii- 
*'cers  in  the  army  and  to  give  enlisting  orders 
*'  to  such  persons  as  they  tUink  proper.  And 
"  if  any  officers  be  ready  to  be  commissioned 
*'aa:reeablo  to  the  resolve  of  this  Conjjress 
"durmg  the  recess  of  the  same  the  Conmiittee 
*' shall  fill  up  and  deliver  to  them  commis^ions 
**  to  be  furnished  aaid  Committee  in  blank  for 
**  that  purpose." 

This  committee  distributed  beating  or  en- 
listing orders  throughout  the  state  to  those 
whom  they  thought  quahfied  to  raise  recruits. 
The  number  of  a  company  was  reduced  from 
one  hundred  to  fifty-nme  ;  and  he  who  could 
enlist  this  number  was  entitled  to  a  captain's 
commission,  and  one  who  procured  ten  cap- 
tains with  companies  to  serve  under  him  com- 
manded the  regiiuent.  The  Congress  of  Mas- 
sachusetts issued  an  eloquent  address  to  the 
people,  which  would  do  honor  to  any  legisla- 
ture on  earth.  The  recruits  came  in  with 
sj)irit,  and  by  the  middle  of  June  the  New 
England  army  of  citizen  soldiers  enlisted  for 
a  few  months  amounted  to  about  lifteen  thou- 
sand troops. 

About  ten  thousand  of  these  were  of  Mas- 
sachusetts; animated  with  the  same  love  of 


#■ 


^  1 


* 


■Hl- 


/^ 


180 


BUNKER  HILL  BATTLE. 


liberty  which  inspired  the  whole,  they  were 
most  confident  in  the  rectitude  of  their  cause, 
in  which  they  were  thoroughly  instructed  by 
James  Otis,  who  led  the  forlorn  hope  of  the 
revolution,  John  Adams,  Quincy,  Hancock, 
Samuel  Adams,  and  other  enlightened  pa- 
triots. And  they  were  fighting  battles  more 
peculiarly  their  own,  in  defence  of  their  wives, 
children  and  homes.  But  the  more  animating 
consideration  to  them  as  soldiers,  was  the 
chivalrous  reputation  of  their  ancestors  and 
themselves,  who  had  been  in  constant  battle 
and  constant  victory  against  their  formidable 
savage  foe,  and  had  more  recently  proved  at 
Nova  Scotia  and  Louisbourgh  that  thej  were 
equally  formidable  against  the  civilized  troops 
of  Europe. 


.•rfr,-      ^r:^ 


9.^ 


BUNKER  HILL  BATTLE. 


181 


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BUNKER  HILL  RATTLE. 


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BUNKER  HILL  BATTLE. 


189 


The  regiment  of  artillery  was  organized 
under  Colonel  Richard  Gridley,  Lieutenant 
Colonel  William  Burbeck,  Majors  David  Ma- 
son and  Scarborough  Gridley,  and  ten  cap- 
tains, with  one  six,  two  brasd  four,  and  six 
iron  three  pound  cannon. 


Rhode  Island  had  sent  a  re  '^ent  to  Mas- 
sachusetts imbued  with  the  mined  spirit 
of  civil  and  religious  liberty,  v  m  l  •  founder 
of  their  state  maintained  ihrc  ^.i  every  peril. 
Colonel  Green^  was  their  commander,  one  of 
the  most  promising  heroes  of  the  revolution. 
The  elements  of  a  soldier  were  so  mixed  in 
him,  tha4  the  wise  already  foresaw  his  elevat- 
ed rank  among  warriors  the  most  distinguish- 
ed. Under  him  were  Lieutenant  Colonel  Olny 
and  Major  Boxan,  experienced  English  sol- 
diers. Two  field  pieces  were  attached  to  the 
corps. 


The  hardy  yeomanry  of  New  Hampshire, 
beneath  whose  poriuerous  strokes  the  formid- 
able forests  and  the  savages  who  inhabited 
them  had  been  levelled  with  the  ground,  who 
had  been  used  to  little  control  but  what  the 
God  of  Nature  imposed,  were  moved  with  in- 
dignation at  approaching  tyranny.  They 
flocked  as  volunteers  to  the  neighbourhood  of 


*  ^he  accomplished  scholar,  Judge  Johnson,  is  about 
preseiiting  the  public  a  biography  of  this  hero. 


:.^.  X  -iitiM, 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


IAAI21    |2.5 

■^  1^    12.2 


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Hiotographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


33  WIST  MAIN  STRKT 

WHSTH.N.V    MSIO 

(7U)I73-4S03 


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BUNKER  HILL  BATTLE. 


Boston,  and  chose  Colonel  Stark,  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Wjman  and  Major  M'Clary  their 
leaderir  .  , 

Their  colonel  was  worthy  to  command  this 
formidable  band  ;  he  had  been  a  distinguished 
captain  of  Provincial  Rangers  received  into 
,  the  service  of  the  crown,  was  at  Quebec 
under  General  Wolfe,  and  enjoyed  half  pay 
as  a  British  officer,  an  ofiering  lie  made  with 
other  sacrifices  for  the  good  of  his  country. 

Their  major  also  was  a  favourite  officer. 
Sit  feet  and  a  half  in  height,  with  a  Hercu- 
lean form  in  perfect  proportions,  a  voice  like 
^  Stentorand  strength  of  Ajax  ;  ever  unequalled 
in  athletic  exerciLes,  and  unsubdued  in  single 
combat,  whole  bodies  of  men  had  been  over- 
come by  him,  and  he  seemed  totally  uncon- 
scious that  he  was  not  equally  unconquerable 
at  the  cannon^s  mouth.  His  mind  and  char- 
acter were  of  the  same  grand  and  energetic 
cast  with  his  person ;  and  though  deficient  in 
the  advantages  of  finished  education,  he  had 
been  a  member  of  the  state  legislature,  and 
his  mercantile  concerns  were  extensive. 

These  troops  wore  followed  by  another 
regiment  from  New  Hampshire,  which  arrived 
on  the  fifteenth  of  Jime,  uider  Colonel  Reed, 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Oilman  and  iVJajur  Hale. 


*.; 


BUNKER  HILL  BATTLE. 


■.#.^ 


■y-i^f' **_;■; 


.t'Z- 


185 


Connecticut,  essentially  and  undeviatingly 
republican,  was  behind  none  of  the  provinces 
in  her  determined  hostility  to  the  usurpation 
and  encroachments  of  the  throne.  To  her 
antipathy  to  royalty  the  proscribed  judges  of 
Charles  the  first  nad  owed  their  niviolable 
asylum  in  her  territory.  Religious  as  well  as 
civil  liberty  was  in  jeopardy,  and  the  former 
with  her  was  paramount  to  all  earthly  con- 
siderations. In  her  vocabulary  the  British 
troops  were  the  Philistines,  and  Putnam,  the 
American  Samson,  a  chosen  instrument  to  de- 
feat the  foe ;  and  fortunately  she  inspired  her 
own  confidence  into  all  her  sister  states. 

With  their  usual  sagacity  however  these 
troops,  notwithstanding  a  confidetit  reliance 
on  supernatural  aid,  did  not  neglect  all  human 
means  to  secure  it.  Their  state  government, 
constitution,  and  establishments  continued  un- 
changed. Their  troops  were  better  armed, 
better  disciplined  and  provisioned  than  any 
troops  in  the  New  England  army. 

On  the  first  news  of  the  battle  of  Lexing- 
ton, Putnam  mounted  his  horse,  rode  in  a 
single  day  one  hundred  miles,  arrived  at 
Cambridge,  and  attended  a  council  of  war  on 
the  21st  of  April,  when  the  parole  was  Put- 
nam.*   His  troops  soon  followed  him.    Stoi  rs 

*  Orileily  Book. 


m 


I  4 


i»^^ 


BtNKER  HILL  BATTLE. 


was  lieutenant  colonel,  and  Du  kee,  who 
had  served  with  him  through  the  whole  war 
of  ]756,  with  distinguished  reputation,  was 
^.^^  major  of  his  regiment.  Briijadier  General 
Suencer,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Vvillis  and  Major 
Mayo,Coionel  Waterbury  and  Colonel  Parsons 
came  also  with  the  Connecticut  troops,  in  all 
about  three  thousand.  Captain  Coit  next  to 
M^CIary  in  stature  and  intrepidity  commanded 
an  independent  company  of  hardy  New 
London  tars,  and  Chester  another  indepen- 
dent company  from  VVeathersfield,  the  elite 
corps  of  the  army.  As  such  it  was  selected  to 
escort  General  Putnam  and  Joseph  Warren^ 
the  President  of  Congress,  to  Charlestowni 
on  the  exchange  of  priboners  with  the  British. 

■'■"'.  ' 

The  scene  of  their  meeting  was  hallowed 
by. the  flag  of  truce  which  waved  over  it,* 
and  was  sacred  to  the  rites  of  hospitality  and 
friendship.  The  officers  on  both  sides  were 
personal  frier  '  ,  though  arrayed  against  each 
othor  in  pub  hostility.  Between  Putnam 
and  the  British  officers,  especially,  these  ties 
had  been  cemented  by  the  mutual  perils  and 
intimate  associations  of  the  camp,  auring  the 
long  war  of  1756,  and  their  present  opposition 
served  only  to  make  their  affection  glow  with 
a  more  genial  warmth.  These  rugged  sons 
of  Mars,  from,  the  impulse  of  feeling,  rushed 

/      *  Newspapers  and  oral  testimony* 


^  . 


^m 


•--3r- 


■t--*l 


;t%< 


i-.  *' 


BUNKER  HILL  BATTLE. 


A. 


into  each  others  arms.  Bravery  proved  iU 
natural  alliance  witii  the  finest  feelings  of  the 
human  heart.  The  fell  spirit  of  civil  war  was 
softened.  ^  ■■^' -      '.■•:*'^'  "■'^•-^    '- 


.-^1 


The  whole  army  was  under  the  command 
of  Artemas  Ward,  commissioned  by  the  Pro- 
vincial Congress,  on  the  2 1st  of  May,  general 
and  commander  in  chief  of  the  Massachusetts 
forces.  His  general  orders  were  copied  and 
obeyed  by  the  forces  of  all  the  other  prov- 
inces in  Massachusetts,  indiscriminately,  and 
the  officers  of  all  of  them  were  ordered  oo 
courts  martial,  and  detailed  for  the  usual  rou- 
tine of  duty  without  any  distinction  whatever.* 
Congress  also  resoK  ed,  on  the  23d  of  May, 
that  a  lieutenant  general,  two  major  gene- 
rals, four  brigadier  generals,  two  adjutant 
and ,  two  quarter  master  generals  should  be 
appointed. 


■^af-/ 


General  Ward  was  a  gentleman  of  liberal 
education,  vigorous  understanding  and  distin- 
guished probity.  He  had  been  a  member  of 
the  council,  speaker  of  the  assembly,  and 
chief  justice  of  one  of  the  courts  in  Massa- 
chusetts. He  professed  the  rigid  tenets  of 
New  England  religion,  and  his  rank  and  char- 
acter commanded  an  extensive  infliunce  in 
the  country.    He  had  also  served  with  reputa- 


*  Orderly  Books. 


4. 


>y.' 


m 


■♦  K. 


1(# 


BUNKER  RILL  BATTLE. 


flr 


tion  in  the  war  of  1756,  was  a  lieutenant  col- 
onel at  the  storming  of  Ticonderoga,  under 
General  Abercrombie,  and  soon  after  com- 
manded the  regiment.  He  had  also  been  a 
.>g-  colonel  in  the  militia,  an  office  from  which 
Governor  Hutchinson  relieved  him  on  account 
of  his  being  too  true  a  patript. 

General  Thomas  received  the  appointment 
of  lieutenant  general  which  he  accepted  on 
the  27th  of  May.  His  superior  talents,  culti- 
vated by  a  liberal  education,  his  gallantry, 
activity  and  vigilance  as  a  soldier,  purity  as  a 
patriot,  and  honor  as  a  man  commanded  the 
entire  confidence  of  all  who  knew  him.  He 
had  served  in  the  former  war  with  reputation, 
and  had  already  distinguished  himself  in  this. ' 
Being  in  command  at  Roxbury  with  a  feeble 
force.  General  Gage  had  determined  to  drive 
him  from  that  important  post.  But  his  vigi- 
lance detected  the  design,  and  by  a  ruse  de 
guerre  he  defeated  it. 

On  the  day  fixed  for  the  attack,  all  -his 
troops  were  paraded,  marching  them  roi:nd 
the  nill  on  which  he  was  encamped,  in  view 
of  Boston,  and  returning  those  in  front  by  a 
short  rout  again  to  the  rear,  they  wore  the 
*  appearance  of  a  long  column  ot  troops.  Being 
without  uniform  the  deception  was  perfect, 
s  and  General  Gage,  alarmed  with  the  show  of 
force,  relinquished  the  enterprise. 


/^. 


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BT7NRER   HILL   BIl 


Wfr 


The  veteran  General  Pomeroy  of  North-^ 
ampton  continued  with  the  new  levied  troops 
under  his  old  commission,  not  having  yet  re- 
ceived a  new  appointment,  and  assisted  in  or- 
ganizing the  army.  He  was  a  hardy,  intrepid, 
adventurous  soldier,  a  keen  and  celebrated 
hunter,  an  honest,  open  hearted  man.  He 
had  acquired  a  distinguished  reputation  in  the 
war  of  1756,  when  military  fame  was  the  re- 
ward of  individual  prowess  and  private  enter- 
prise, and  left  the  service  a  laurelled  captain 
of  Provincials.  He  commanded  a  company 
under  Sir  William  Johnson  in  the  celebrated 
engagement  when  the  French  and  Indian^, 
under  the  Baron  Dieskau,  were  defeated.  To 
our  captain  the  honor  of  having  slain  the 
baron  was  awarded  over  rival  claims,  and  the 
baron's  watch  was  bestowed  on  him  as  a 
trophy  to  be  transmitted  with  his  fame  to 
posterity.*  He  was  in  fact  the  natural  mili- 
tary chieftain  of  his  neighbourhood,  and  may 
well  be  styled  the  Putnam  of  Connecticut 
River. 

General  Whitcomb  bore  a  close  resem- 
blance in  his  history  and  character  to  General 
Pomeroy.  He  appeared  with  the  militia  at 
Lexington  battle,  but  was  too  advanced  in 
years  (or  active  service.     He  received  the  ap- 

# 

*  It  is  yet  retained  in  his  family.     , 
17 


.<;^s& 


:-*, 


^i 


:       * 


.'■■^ 


IW 


BUNKER  HILL  BATTLE 


'..iA- 


'A- 


pointment  of  major  general  in  the  new  annj 
on  the  12th  of  June.  ;        lit  5^^ 

v 


;0;,    ,, 


On  the  14th  of  June,  Joseph  Warren  was 
elected  a  major  general  of  Massachusetts. 
In  his  character  the  heroism  of  antiquity  com- 
bined with  the  romantic  chivalry  of  the  middle 
ages.  An  accomplished  scholar :  gifted  with 
genius  the  most  distinguished,  his  mind  was 
stored  with  the  treasures  of  classic  erudition. 
As  an  orator  a  model ;  elegant  and  impres- 
sive, ardent  and  irresistible ;  twice  selected  to 
address  his  fellow  citizens,  the  thunder  of  his 
eloquence  severed  the  adamantine  chain  by 
which  nature  bound  them  to  the  mother 
country.     As  a  patriot,  pure  and  without  re- 

S roach,  his  favorite  maxim  was  ^^  Decus  et 
ecorum  est  pro  patria  mori,''  and  from  pre- 
sentiment he  foresaw  that  this  motto  would 
one  day  be  recorded  in  the  life's  blood  of  a 
heart  as  noble  as  ever  panted  after  immor- 
tality. A  physician  the  most  eminent,  his 
'  superb  character  soared  far  beyond  the  nar- 
row limits  of  his  profession.  In  person  hand- 
some, in  manners  elegant  and  accomplished, 
he  was  the  favorite  of  the  drawing  room,  and 
qualified  to  shine  in  ihe  highest  circles  of 
fashion.  But  the  cause  of  liberty,  of  his  coun- 
try and  mankind  summoned  him  to  a  destiny 
by  far  more  exalted.  Chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  Safety,  and  President  of  the  Provin- 
cial Congress,  he  remembered   that  in   the 


T< 


<i. 


V 


#i 


'  r 


SyftKKR  HILL  BATTLB* 


191 


w  army 

•ren  was 
chusetts. 
ilty  com- 
le  middle 
fted  with 
mind  was 
erudition, 
id  impres- 
elected  to 
der  of  his 
chain  by 
le  mother 
ivithout  re- 
«« Decus  et 
I  from  pre- 
otto  would 
blood  of  a 
jter  immor- 
Jnent,  his 
id  the  nar- 
rson  hand- 
lomplished, 
room^  and 
circles  of 
|of  his  coun- 
a  destiny 
,f  the  Com- 
the  Provin- 
hat  in  the 


tinsplicity  of  ancient  republics,  legislators  the 
most  distinguished  were  also  warriors  the 
most  devoted.  He  accompanied  General  Put- 
nam as  a  volunteer  to  one  of  the  islands, 
where  in  a  warm  engagement  the  enem^  were 
defeated  and  a  vessel  destroyed ;  and  his  head 
had  been  grazed  by  a  ball  from  the  enemy  at 
the  battle  of  Lexington. 

General  Ward's  quarters  were  at  Cam- 
bridge, with  about  eight  thousand  Massachu- 
setts troops,  and  one  thousand  from  Connecti- 
cut. The  latter,  with  Sargent's  Massachusetts 
regiment,  were  under  the  immediate  command 
of  General  Putnaiii.  in  a  central  and  advance^ 

1)081  tion  near  Inman's  farm,  where  the  enemy 
anded  previous  to  the  battle  of  Lexington. 
Here  some  slight  breastworks  wei^  thrown 
up.  Another  slight  work  was  erected  near 
the  Charlestown  road,  a  mile  and  a  half  from 
Cambridge,  where  Colonel  Patterson's  regi- 
ment was  stationed.  '^^  „ <^'^«t--'W^#--  m-  r.^^-im' 

Four  companies  of  artillery  with,  and  one 
without  field  pieces,  were  also  at  Cambridge. 

At  Roxbury,  Lieutenant  General  Thomat 
commanded  about  two  thousand  Massachu-^ 
setts,  two  thousand  Connecticut  and  one  tho^i^^v^ 
sand  Rhode  Island  troops,  including  an  artff- 
lery  Company  with  field  pieces.  These  com- 
posed the  right  wing  of  the  army. 


5* 


tr- 


'IS2 


BUNKER   HILL   BATTLE. 


•^ 


^  At  Medford  about  one  thousand  New 
Hampshire  troops  under  Colonels  Stark  and 
Reea,  formed  the  left  wing  of  the  army. 

'  These  troops  were  hardy,  brave,  active, 
athletic  and  indefatigable.  Almost  every  sol- 
dier equalled  William  Tell  as  a  marksman, 
and  would  aim  his  weapon  at  an  oppressor 
with  as  keen  a  relish.  Those  from  the  fron^ 
tier  had  gained  this  address  against  the  sava- 
ges  and  beasts  of  the  forest.  The  country 
yet  abounded  with  game,  and  hunting  wag 
familiar  to  all ;  and  the  amusement  the  most 
fashionable  and  universal  throughout  New 
England,  was  trials  of  skill  with  the  muske^f 


■■■%■' 


s*";**".  "*:?? 


These  troops  were  also  religious,  and  their 
respect  for  the  opinions  of  the  clergy  was 
unbounded.  But  the  religion  of  their  clergj 
was  republican  in  its  nature;  they  had  the 
most  lively  antipathy  to  church  establishments, 
and  dread  of  royal  oppression.  To  avoid  the 
expense  of  chaplains  to  the  army,  the  clergy 
in  the  neighbourhood  of 'the  camp  were  in- 
vited by  Congress  to  perform  divme  service, 
thirteen  of  them,  every  Sabbath ;  a  duty  thejr 
<^ischarged  with  zeal  and  punctuality. 

*  The  confidence  of  the  army  in  their  officers 
was  as  complete,  as  it  appears  from  the  char- 
acters of  those  described  to  have  been  richly 
merited.     But  beside  these  superior  officers,, 


# 


BUNKER   HILL   BATTLE. 


l^ 


many  of  the  field  and  commissioned  ofEicers 
and  piivates  had  served  in  the  army  in  the 
war  of  1745  or  of  1756,  and  had  there  reaped 
well  deserved  laurels.  .^".■^^m^f^m. 

Their  confidence  was  at  present  elevated 
to  an  excess  by  the  recent  and  astonishing 
conquests  which  their  arms  had  accomplished. 
Beside  the  victory  at  Lexington,  and  success- 
ful skirmishes  iti  the  neighbourhood  of  BostoOy 
they  had  just  learned,  that  Arnold,  who  had 
received  a  colonel's  commission  and  troops 
from  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  Massachu- 
H-tts,  had,  in  alliance  with  other  New  £ii^tand 
forces,  achieved  the  important  acquisition  of 
Crown  Point  and  Ticonderoga.  These  troops 
were  also  sensible  that  they  were  fighting  ia 
their  own  cause,  and  were  exalted  into  heroes 
by  a  glorious,  enthusiastic  love  of  liberty,  a 
maddening,  indignant  sense  of  oppression. 
This  indignation  burned  with  new  fury  fron^ 
a  recent  proclamation  of  Governor  Gage,  de- 
nouncing them  all  as  rebels,  and  especially  the 
proscribed  patriots,  Hancock  and  Adams,,  theic 
abettors,  adherents  and  associates.  '     .^ 


Excepting  these  characteristics,  however^ 
they  were  deficient  in  almost  every  important 
requisite  of  an  army.  They  were  wretchedly 
defective  in  arms,  and  the  bayonet  was  al- 
most universally  wanting.  They  were  entirely, 
strangers  to  discipUne  and  almost  to  subordl^ 


17 


7* 


^%, 


'■ft. 


% 


194  BUmCEH  HILL  BATTLE. 

nation.  Tnej  were  nominally  organized  into 
regiments,  but  these  were  deficient  in  num- 
bers, many  of  them  only  skeletons,  and  their 
respective  ranks  were  nut  ascertained.  Some 
of  these  troops  were  vet  serving  as  minute 
men,  "and  a  number  of  regiments  had  not  re- 
ceived their  commissions.  Tents  were  not 
provided.  The  commissariat  and  quarter- 
master's department  and  staff  were  yet  unor- 
ganized. The  several  towns  sent  provisions 
to  their  troops  with  profusion,  but  with  ir- 
regularity ana  waste. 
-     ■  • 

Colonel  Gridley  was  appointed  chief,  and 
'  William  Burbeck  second  engineer,  but  the 
latter  was  attached  to  the  ordnance  depart- 
ment, and  Colonel  Gridley  had  no  engineers 
under  him.  tt  was  impossible  for  him  to  sup- 
ply this  defect,  and  he  was  himself  almost 
too  advanced  ki  years  for  service.  But  if 
military  science,  skill  and  experience  could 
have  overcome  these  difficulties,  there  was 
not  an  officer  in  America  more  capable  of 
accomplishing  it  than  Colonel  Gridley.  ^ 


^■>  1 ' 


-Ht 


Richard  Gridley,  brother  of  J.  Gridley,  in 
his  day  ^^  the  giant  of  the  law,''  was  bom  in 
Boston,  1711.  Uncommon  genius,  improved 
bv  superior  education,  prepared  him  for  an 
elevated  standing.  Most  apt  and  learned  in 
every  branch  of  mathematics,  of  romantic 
honof)  chivalrous  ambition,  and  adventurous 


BUNKER  HILL  BATTLB. 


IM 


zed  into 
in  num- 
nd  their 
I.    Some 
)  minute 
d  not  re- 
vere  not 
quarter- 
yet  unor- 
)rovisions 
t  with  ir- 

jhief,  and 
,  but   the 
;e  de part- 
engineers 
im  to  sup- 
elf  almost 
.      But  if 
snce  could 
there  was 
capable  of 
ey. 

rridley,  ia 
IS  bom  in 

improved 
lim  for  an 

learned  in 
romantic 

[venturous 


bravery,  nature  made  .him  a  soldier;  and  it 
was  found  impossible  for  art  to  make  him  a 
merchant.  Ihe  attempt  was  relinquished, 
and,  like  the  two  principal  heroes  of  the 
American  revolution,  Washington  and  Greene, 
he  employed  himself  as  a  -  practical  surveyor 
and  civil  engineer.         'v         ^ 


•  V    « 


After  the  decease  of  his  brother  who  held 
the  office  he  was  elected  Grand  Master  of  the 
fraternity  of  Masons.   ^:       .  '^ 


Military  science  he  studied  with  enthusiasm 
and  acquired  with  facility,  and  in  1745  he 
commenced  his  military  career.      -  - 


':  Jffit^lfi,    •■» 


;:.K'i 


Massachusetts  raised  an  army  of  three 
thousand  two  hundred  men,  New  Hampshire 
added  three  and  Connecticut  five  hundred,  to 
conquer  the  Island  of  Cape  Breton.  In  this 
army  he  received  the  appomtment  of  engineer 
and  commander  of  the  artillery.  Under  the 
instruction  of  Bastide,  a  most  distinguished 
engineer,  he  became  at  once  an  adept  in  his 
profession,  and  acquired  like  Archimedes  dis- 
tinguished celebrity  in  the  war  of  sieges. 
With  scientific  accuracy  he  pointed  the  mortar 
which  on  the  third  fire  threw  a  bomb  into  the 
citadel,  one  grand  cause  of  the  subsequent 
surrender  of  Louisbourg  and  conquest  of 
Cape  Breton. 


•'*^J  S?.'"*^**  *"   i-^'^  '.' 


i*H'-v^'»-^--'' 


19a 


BUNKER   HILL   BATTLE. 


'-■  He  was  rewarded  -by  a  captaincy  in  Gov- 
ernor Shirley's  American  regiment  on  the 
British  establishment.  The  peace  left  him 
on  half  pay,  and  in   1752  he  attended  the 

fovernor  to  the  Kennebeck,  and  erected  forts 
(Western  and  Halifax. 


'»■•  ■■<.%«■■;*,---'.•#*  4' 


In  1 755  he  again  entered  the  service  as 
chief  engineer  and  colonel  of  infantry.  In  1756 
he  was  commander  of  the  provincial  artille- 
ry under  General  Winslow  in  the  expedition 
against  Crown  Point,  and  proceeded  to  Lake 
George,  where  he  erected  fortilications.  In 
1757  he  sailed  for  Halifax  intended  for  Lou- 
isbourg,  but  the  expedition  was  arrested  by 
the  French  ^et.  In  1758  he  revisited  his 
earliest  field  of  glory,  and  was  at  the  second 
taking  of  Louisbourg  under  General  Am- 
herst. He  had  the  superintendance  of  the 
ordnance  stores,  and  was  so  distinguished  in 
the  siege,  as  were  all  the  New  England 
troops,  that  the  general  tendered  him  the 
whole  valuable  furniture  of  the  governor's 
house,  a  present  which  he  with  chivalrous 
delicacy  declined.    ,   ■,  p,       ,.  j     .    s/   '    i 

-  In  1759  General  Amherst  conferred  on  him 
the  distinguished  honor  of  commanding  tiic 
artillery  under  the  immortal  Wolfe  at  the 
siege  of  Quebec.         ^ 


Gc 

join  t 
tende 
comm 
and  h 
the  c€ 
the  n 
mount 
battle, 


•■<<v  *'«.i«Vi|i|4^*,,A  .t  .,->^.',«>    ♦,>  ^U  *.i)*i.U^^,..- 


i^;.-;'?-- 


BtXlTKER  HILL   BATTLE. 


197 


General  Amherst  found  it  impossible  to 
join  the  expedition  against  Quebec  as  he  in« 
tended ;  notwithstanding  which  the  audacious 
commander,  seconded  by  the  heroic  Gridley 
and  his  other  officers,  determined  to'  achieve 
the  conquest  alone.  He  landed  his  army  in 
the  night  under  the  heights  of  Abraham, 
mounted  the  precipice,  and  won  the  glorious 
battle,  in  whicn  Gridley  proved  himself  wor- 
thy to  tight  by  his  side.  X'rfh^iyrfr^^f.r<..^0^^^r 

His  country  acknowledged  his  services  and 
rewarded  them.  The  Magdalen  islands  with 
an  extensive  seal  and  cod  fishery,  and  half  pay 
as  a  British  officer,  were  conferred  on  him. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  American  re- 
volution his  British  agent,  by  order  of  govern- 
ment, enquired  to  what  party  he  devoted  his 
services.  His  magnanimous  answer  was,  ^^  he 
"  never  drew  his  sword  but  in  the  cause  of  jus- 
*^  tice,  and  such  he  considered  to  be  his  coun- 
"  try's."  His  half  pay  ceased,  and  the  arrears 
already  due  he  had  too  much  spirit  to  receive. 

The  British  army  in  Boston,  at  the  lime  of 
Lexington  battle,  were  about  four  thousand 
troops  under  General  Gage,  the  governor  of 
Massachusetts.  He  had  served  with  eclat 
both  in  America  and  Europe,  had  married  an 
American  lady,  was  popular  in  the  country^ 
and  disposed  to  moderate  expedients,  until  he 


;■"* 


19S 


BimnSIt  HILL  BATTLE. 


41 


^sacrificed  his  own  judgment  to  the  advice  of 
Violent  partizann* 

^  Br  the  last  of  Maj  large  reinforcements  ap- 
r?ved,  and  the  whole  consisted  of  (he  following 
regiments;  the  fourth,  6fth,  tenth,  fourteenth, 
thiee  companies  of  the  eighteenth,  twenty 
third,  thirty  fifth,  thirtj  eighth,  forty  third, 
forty  seventh,  fifty  second,  fifty  ninth,  sixty 
third,  two  companies  of  the  sixty  fifth,  and 
the  sixty  seventn.  These  amounted  to  about 
ten  thousand  troops  under  Generals  Gage, 
Howe,  Clinton,  Burgoyne,  Pigot,  Grant  and 
Robinson,  Lords  Percy  and  Rawdon,  Colonels 
Abercrombie,  Williams  and  others,  the  most 
distinguished  officers  and  choicest  troops  of 
the  British  empire. 


tf*^*-' 


M  4 


'.".,  H^-    "VS. 


it  \^ 


The  fifty  second,  the  royal  Irish  and  the 
t7,'ijaiy  third  or  Welsh  fusileers,  had  been  the 
most  signalized.  This  last  was  the  Prince  of 
Wales  rejjritnent  in  elegant  uniform  with  a 
strong  national  spirit  and  esprit  de  corps.* 
There  was  also  a  squadron  of  cavalry,  for 
whose  use  a  house  of  God  was  unwisely  and 
sacrilegiously  assumed. 

•*  From  a  trAcUtion  that  a  former  Prince  ef  Wales  had 
ridden  from  his  princimlity  into  England  on  a  goat ;  a 
veiy  large  one,  with  gilded  horns,  waa  always  maintain- ' 
«d  by  tn«  corps,  and  they  celebrated  the  anniversary  of 
the  feat  by  a  procession,  rejoicing  and  exultation. 


*Wf^ 


idyice  of 


■H<3#^*f 


[nentfl  ar- 
following 
urteenth, 
,  twenty 
third, 


5h  and  the 
d  been  the 

Prince  of 
rm  with  a 
de  corps* 

valry,  for 
wisely  and 


BUNKER  HILL  BATTLE. 


199 


The  liffht  infantry  of  the  regiments  wer« 
^ncampefT  on  the  height!  of  West  Boston^ 
facing  CJadfibridge ;  a  very  strong  battery  for 
cannon  and  mortars  was  erected  on  CJoppt 
Hiil,  facing  Charlestown,  Wad  very  strong 
lines  and  batteries  were  formed  across  the 
neck  on  the  side  of  Roxbury.        ^i   -      ^*    > 


/■F' 


^^'K 


i;-!/* 


The  British  were  equally  sanguine,  afid  a« 
confident  of  success  as  their  enemy,  for  whomy 
as  soldiers,  they  entertained  a  sovereign  con« 
tempt.  This  opinion  was  nourished  by  their 
officers  who  had  served  with  those  of  the  Pro- 
vinrials,  when  they  were  degraded  below  the 
P  itish  officers  of  similar  commissions,  and  the 
generals  were  allowed  no  rank  with  those  of 
the  mother  country.  They  were  confirmed 
the  same  opinion  from  tne  ordinary  arms 


in 


and  the  uncouth  dress  of  the  American  troops, 
which  they  had  worn  unchanged  from  tne 
plough  or  the  workshop,  and  the  want  of  dis- 
cipline and  subordination  which  signalized 
their  camp.  „ 

They  were  alio  enthusiastic  admirers  of 
their  government  and  coiistitiitioQ.  They 
held  the  king  and  parliament  in  religious  vene- 
ration, and  considered  tliem  as  omnipotrnt  on 
earth  as  Deity  in  heaven.  They  looked  up- 
on the  Americans  as  foul,  unu^ratoful  and  un- 
natural rebels,  and  burned  with  indignation  to 
inflict  on  them  cxciupiary  punishment. 


-v-VS""'  •"';"'■' 


W 


'*^Vt 


BUNKER   HILL   BATTLE. 


^^«/- 


»  it  f  a^-; 


leir  harrow  quarters  galled  thiir  pnae 
Burgojne  declared  they  would  haw  elbow 
room,  and  General  Gage  proclaimed  h^  mor- 
tification ^'  that  ^e  Americans  affected  to 
hold  Ihe  Britishririny  besieged."  Notwith- 
standing the  superior  and  increasing  numbers 
of  the  foe,  they  determined  to  leave  the  town, 
and  take  Charlestown  aittf  Dorchester  heights. 
The  busy  preparation  had  commenced  to 
possess  themselves  of  the  latter  on  the  eight- 
.eenth  day  of  June,  but  t'fie  Americans  before 
that  provided  other  occupation  for  their  arms. 


■th'ii-'<i 


■  t--f  «'-fflSj 


^  The  Americans  were  impatient  to  be  led 
against  the  enemy.  They  were  unable  to 
appreciate  the  necessity  of  discipline,  or  to 
understand  the  unorganized  situation  of  every 
department  of  the  army;  but  the  hardships 
and  expense  of  service  they  sorely  realized. 
Many  of  the  officers  were  favourable  to  the 
wishes  of  the  men.  They  had  been  used  to 
the  loose  service  of  rangers,  and  could  not 
weigh  the  requisitions  of  a  regular  army. 

General  Putnam,  Colonel  Prescott,  and 
other  veterans,  demanded  that  advantage 
should  be  taken  of  this  disposition  of  the  men, 
and  their  wishes  gratified.  The  utility  of  the 
frequent  and  successful  skirmises  they  had  al- 
ready engaged  in  was  immense.  They  prom- 
ist^d  themselves  still  higher  advantage  from  an 
affair  more  important,  but  short  of  a  general 


::>-;- 


BUNKBR  HILL  BATTLE. 


201 


engagement.  Tbej  knew  that,  could  the  en- 
emy be  induced  to  engage  a  formidable  de- 
tachment, their  inferiority  with  the  musket  ^ 
would  make  them  deeply  rue  any  advantage 
they  might  gain,  while  it  would  convert  our 
army  into  soldiers;  and  these  beneficial  re- 
sults would  be  doubled,  could  the  Americans 
be  covered  by  entrenchments.  Putnam,  to 
show  his  correct  estimation  of  his  countrymen, 
as  raw  troops,  advanced  his  favourite  maxim, 
^'  the  Americans  are  not  at  all  afraid  of  their 
^^  heads,  though  very  much  afraid  of  their 
"  legs ;  if  yoi  cover  these  they  will  fight  for- 
"  ever."  Before  the  Council  of  War,  in  con- 
tinual session,  these  arguments  were  under 
consideration. ,i.^L>  --.,,1  \%  ;i>:i;;>-   ■J.'>r.4. 'dm 

The  same  momentous  question  had  been  de- 
bated in  the  Committee  of  Safety.  The)  re- 
ceived information  from  their  secret  emissaries, 
that  the  enemy  intended  to  advance  into  the 
country,  and  possess  themselves  of  the  very 
commanding  heights  of  Charlestown  and 
Dorchester.  The  necessity  of  anticipating 
them  in  a  project  so  fatal  to  America  was 
most  solemnly  urged  for  the  purpose  of  pre- 
venting their  advance  into  the  country,  des- 
troying their  shipping,  and  making  the  town 
itself  too  hot  for  them ,  .    ,.  ,   t.  .  ^.^  ^ 

But  this  course  was  opposed  by  formidable 
and  almost  insuperable  aifficulties.     The  ar- 

18 


^■'^iWf.  .:.-■';,    ■ 


src- 


y¥ 


202 


"KR"' 


BUNKfiR   HILL  BATTLB. 


my  seemed  called  bti  to  ndiaintain  a  rigid  de- 
fence till  they  were  better  disciplined  and 
prepared  for  battle ;  and  what  was  of  vastly 
more  weight,  they  had  not  gunpowder. 
There  were  eleven  barrels  only  in  the  public 
depots,  and  but  sixty  seven  in  Massachusetts. 
^These  heights  completely  overlooked  the 
town,  and  it  was  impossible  for  the  enemy  to 
suffer  the  Americans  to  keep  them  without 
the  most  desperate  efforts,  and  a  general  en- 

fagement.  This  and  the  cannonade  we  should 
e  necessitated  to  support,  to  answer  that  of 
the  enemy,  (for  if  omitted  it  would  betray  our 
secret  impotency  as  to  powder)  were  entirely 
beyond  our  means.  General  Pomeroy,  how- 
aver  took  council  of  his  courage,  and  with 
unbounded  confidence  in  the  skill  of  his  coun- 
trymen "  would  fight  the  enemy  with  but  five 
*'  cartridges  a  piece.  He  himself  was  practised 
**  in  hunting,  and  always  brought  home  two, 
^'and  sometimes  three  deer,  with  but  three 
"  charges  of  powder.  But  the  men  had  gen- 
"erally  supplied  themselves  with  powder  as 
*'  militia,  and  the  public  could  easily  make  good 
"  the  deficiency. 


.!l.'.;i.: 


General  Putnam,  to  encourage  discipline 
and  emulation,  and  brave  the  enemy,  murched 
in  face  of  them  with  all  the  troops  from  Cam- 
bridge to  Charlestown,  about  the  10th  day  of 
June.  And  about  the  same  time,  to  support 
the  policy  of  engaging  the  enemy  in  an  anair^ 


■w-^ 


r-sir:^:r~-i.-  '■■■,  ■?'••;'? :^;:;;;«i7^,- 


BUNKER  HILL  BATTLE. 


203 


he  attentively  reconnoitred  the  country  with 
other  officers.  A  position  perfectly  suited  to 
their  purpose,  and  which  does  immortal  honor 
to  their  coup  d'oeil  and  military  skill,  they 
found  in  the  fields  of  Charlestown.  They  re- 
paired to  the  place,  and  with  minute  accuracy 
examined  the  position. 


.*  \y 


%rk-i:  ■"i'W'^i 


By  the  direction  of  General  Ward,  Colonel 
Grid  ley  and  Colonel  Henshaw,  accompanied 
by  Mr.  Devens,  one  of  the  Committee  of  Safe- 
ty from  Charlestown,  had  examined  this  part 
of  the  country  in  May,  and  reported  in  favor 
of  fortifying  Prospect  Hill  first)  Bunker  Hill 
next,  and  lastly  Breed^s  Hill.:^i>4i«  ivi^  iii^iife^ 

-  .-.    ^^      '■  *l.-4^  .\i':  ■\',  ......  .>■ 

/     i  .  ■     »  .  .  '    ■     ■i      ■  :     '^ 

The  settlement  of  Charlestown  and  the 
fields  are  situated  on'  a  peninsula,  with  Charles 
River  on  the  south,  and  Mystic  River  on  the 
north.  It  is  eleven  hundred  yards  across  from 
north  to  south,  and  one  mile  forty  three  rods 
in  length  from  east  to  west,  at  which  extremi- 
ty the  two  rivers  approach  each  other,  and 
form  a  neck  of  land  but  one  hundred  and  thir- 
ty yards  over.  Breed's  Hill  is  long,  the  east- 
ern end  rather  steep,  the  western  sinking 
gradually ;  the  south  side  is  very  steep,  and 
at  the  bottom  of  it  was  Charlestown.  It  is 
sixty  two  feet  in  height.  The  north  is  like- 
wise steep,  and  was  protected  at  the  bottom 
by  a  deep  impassable  slough ;  beyond  this, 
proceeding  north,  you  cross  a  tongue  of  land 


•/ 


.#■ 


204 


BVNEl^R  HILL   BATTLE. 


twenty  feet  in  height  above  Mystic  River,  the 
sfhore  of  which  terminates  it  on  the  north  side. 
This  tongue  of  land  runs  eaist  to  within  two 
hundred  and  fifty  yards  of  Morton's  Hill  and 
parallel  with  Breed's  Hill.  Morton's  Hill  lies 
lYortheast  from  Breed's,  and  is  thirty  five  feet 
in  height.  The  ground  between  the  tongue 
of  land  and  Breed's  Hill,  and  beyond  the  east- 
ern end  of  it  and  Morton's  Hill  was  low  and 
inarshy.  On  the  driest  parts  of  this  low  land, 
however,  were  a  number  of  brick  kilns*  The 
tongue  of  land  at  its  western  extremity  termi- 
nates in  Bunker  Hill,  which  on  this  side  has  a 
ednsiderable  slope,  and  on  all  its  other  sides  is 
exceedingly  steep;  It  is  one  hundred  and  teii 
feet  high,  bears  northwest  from  Breed's,  and 
the  summits  of  the  two  are  distant  from  each 
other  one  hundk^ed  and  thirty  rods.  By  Bun- 
ker HiU  Bree^i's  is  coiftpletely  commanded. 
A  narrow  road  raii  from  the  neck  over  bunker 
Hill,  between  the  tongue  of  land  and  Breed's 
Hill,  and  entirely  round  Breed's  Hill,  ap- 
pn>achiRg  very  near  its  summit  on  the  soutli. 

^  Even  the  daring  enterprise  of  Warren  hesi- 
tated at  the  accumulated  dangers  and  difficul- 
ties, apparently  insurmountable,  which  oppos- 
ed our  taking  and  maintaining  possession  of 
the  heights  of  Charlesto  wn.  But  the  Council 
of  War  and  Committee  of  Safety,  of  which  he 
was  chairman,  and  in  which  he  opposed  the 
measure,  adopted  Pa  different  opinion.    Like  a 


genume 
ten,  aiid 
bre  threi 


''t;w^:' 


BUNKER   HILL   BATTLE. 


205 


genuine  patriot,  his  own  opinion  was  forgot- 
ten, abd  he  joined  heart  and  hai|d  with  bis 
brethren  jto  Qommand  success«;    ^  4iM?rl%  -^^     ' 


n 


On  the  fifteenth  of  June,  the  Committee  of 
Safety  passed  the  following  votes : 

'^  Whereas  this  Committee  lately  applied  to 
<^  the  Honourable  the  Congress  of  this  colonjr, 
<^  for  an  augmentation  of  the  army  now  in  the 
*^  vicinity  of  Boston,  and  as  some  circumstan- 
'^  ces  have  since  taken  place,  which  strength- 
'^  ened  the  arguments  then  used  in  favor  otthe 
^^  said  augmentation ;  particularly  that  many 
i^  of  the  then  expected  reinforcements  for  Gen- 
'^eral  Gage^s  army  are  arrived ;  that  General 
^^  Gage  has  issued  a  very  extraordinary  pro- 
^  clamation,  in  which  the  inhabitants  of  Mas- 
'^  sachusetts  are,  in  the  most  explicit  manner, 
^^  declared  rebels ;  and  various  accounts  have 
^^  been  brought  to  this  Committee  of  the  move- 
^^  ment  of  General  Gage^s  army,  and  that  he 
'^  intends  soon  to  make  another  attempt  to 
^'  penetrate  into  the  country  :  From  the  con- 
'^sideration  of  all  which  premi£^<9s,  together 
^^with  that  of  our  army,  Kesolved,  that  the 
»  good  and  welfare  of  the  colony  requires  that 
'^  there  be  an  immediate  augmentation  of  said 
^^  army,  that  sucli  soldiers  m  the  army  as  be 
^^  destitute  of  arms  be  immediately  supplied 
"  therewith,  that  such  regiments  of  militia  as 
^^be  destitute  of  officers  be  immediately  filled 
18*. 


-'-♦»        ■!*. 


bUHKSR  RIU  BATTLE. 


-i«i»^ 


■9: 


*^  up,  in  such  manner  as  the  Honourable  Con<« 
•«  gress  may  direct ;  and  that  all  the  militia  in 
'^  the  colony  be  ordered  to  hold  themselves  in 
"  readiness  to  march,  on  the  shortest  notice, 
^  completely  equipped,  having  thirty  rounds  of 
^'  cartridges  per  man ;  all  vmich  is  earnestly 
*^  recommended  to  the  immediate  consideration 
*^  of  the  Honourable  Congress,  now  sitting  in 
•*  Watertown.  To  which  the  Committee  would 
^^  beg  leave  to  add  a  general  recommendation 
^  to  the  people,  to  eo  to  meeting  armed  on  the 
*^  Lord's  day,  in  order  to  prevent  being  thrown 

*^into  confilsion/V^-.i,;'^Fr^.:^v:?'r■-:-l^r;yp■Tt-  .--f-^f-  i 

the  skme  day  they  passed  the  kiflowing 
vote,  which,  for  secrecy,  was  not  recorded  ud* 
til  the  19th  of  June:  ^4^  iYi^*%f'f,:iih-^,^'r'^yn^'f^^.  ■:■.. 

■^  •*  Whereas  it  appears  of  importance  to  the 
'^  safety  of  this  colony  that  possession  of  the 
'*  hill  called  Bunker  Hill,  in  Charlestown,  be 
^  securely  kept  and  defended,  and  also  some 
^  one  bill  or  hills  on  Dorchester  Neck  be  like" 
^  wise  secured,  therefore  resolved  unanimous- 
^  ly  that  it  be  recommended  to  the  Council  of 
<^  War  that  the  above  mentioned  Bunker  Hill 
^  be  maintained  by  sufficient  force  being  po8t« 
^  ed  there ;  and  as  the  particular  situation  of 
*^  Dorchester  Neck  is  unknown  to  this  Com- 
«^  mittee,  they  advise  that  the  Council  of  War 
«*  take  and 'pursue  such  steps  respecting  the 
*^  same,  as  to  them  shall  appear  to  be  for  the 


v'-;'^:.J*- 


fitJNKEIt   HILL   BATtLE. 


207 


«*  security  of  this  colony."  On  the  same  day 
it  was  ordered,  ^^  that  Captain  Benjamin 
"  White  and  Colonel  Joseph  Palmer  be  a 
*<  committee  to  join  with  the  committee  from 
"  the  Council  of  War,  to  proceed  to  the  Rox- 
^^  bury  camp,  there  to  consult  with  the  general 
*^  ojOHcers  on  matters  of  importance,  and  to 
i*  communicate  to  them  a  resolve  this  day 
^^  passed,  in  this  Committee,  respecting  Bun- 
^^  Kcr  Hill  in  Charlestown,  and  Dorchester 
"  Neck."  The  Provincial  Congress  prepared 
an  elegant  and  energetic  answer  to  Governor 
Gage's  proclamation,  to  be  issued  on  the  ]6th 
of  June,  in  which  Governor  Gage  and  Admi- 
ral Graves  are  excepted  from  the  General  am- 
nesty, to  respond  to  the  proscription  of  Han- 
cock and  Adams ;  but  this  paper  contest  was 
forgotten  in  the  bloody  battle  which  ensued. 


, V-iMfe*    'fc*  '■'    **•*'  '^A 


:ls  '-c  •fy'iU'-'-di '  W 


^|i     '^'i      i(v,>4 


'Mt.^ 


V 


%'i 


f.Ii^i^jt-  m^4i  i:r\*4  i'^liid^j^-ty^ ■'^yi'^i    'H,.  ^*<^;-'*  ;yt#  ■Of'l^#^; 
••■;:•  <)f  _         •       .      «      .    .•■  ^  .; 


-11 


ii'-': 


A 


Jii  . 


U'^ 


'^i:*:' 

1^;/  W. 


fe5*j^-7..vTHE  BATTLE*  -^r -W^r^  ■• 


■  -'£  ■ 


On  the  16th  of  June,  1775,  the  approaching 
dog  star  shed  its  influence  over  the  American, 
camp.  The  earth  was  parched  up;  but  the 
patriotism  of  the  soldiers  was  more  powerful 
than  the  sun,  and  their  well  strung  nerves 
were  proof  against  its  enervating  influence. 


I.*'  f^t 


:  «..    .1  ■  r      J 


With  the  advice  of  the  Council  of  War, 
General  Ward  issued  orders  to  Colonel  Wil- 
liam Prescott,  to  the  commander  of  Colonel 
Frye's  regiment,  and   Colonel   Bridge,  to  be 

grepared  for  an  expedition,  with  all  their  men 
t  for  service,  and  one  day's  provisions.  The 
same  order  issued  for  one  hundred  and  twenty 
of  General  PutnamV  regiment,  and  one  com- 
pany of  artillery  with  t'^o  field  pieces. 

With  these  troops  Colonel  Prescott  was  or- 
dered to  proceed  to  Charlestown  in  the  even- 
ing, take  possession  of  Bunker  Hill,  and  erect 
the  requisite  fortifications  to  defend  it.     !&> 


orders 

provisi 

'jM  the  i 

should 

Not 
selectee 
equate 


BUNKER  HILL  BATTLE. 


209 


orders  were  to  be  kept  profoundly  secret,  and 

provisions  and  refreshments  were  to  be  sent 

'in  the  morning,  with  as  many  more  troops  as 

should  be  necessary^  to  reinforce  him. 


Not  an  officer  in  the  army  could  have  been 
selected  more  worthy  the  honor,  or  more  ad- 
equate to  the  arduous  undertaking  than  Col- 
onel Prescott.  In  this  veteran,  age  already 
began  to  display  its  ravages;  but  the  fire  of 
his  youth  was  undamped.  He  was  of  Pepper- 
ell,  and  was  early  left  in  affluence  by  the  do- 
cease  of  his  father.  -  He  soon  received  a  com- 
mission in  the  provincial  army,  and,  with  ma- 
ny of  his  neighbourhood  who  enlisted,  he 
joined  the  forces  under  General  Winslow,  and 
assisted  in  the  conquest  of  Nova  Scotia.  His 
military  talents  attracted  instant  admiration, 
and  he  was  urged  by  the  British  officers  to 
accept  a  commission  in  the  royal  army.  At- 
tachment to  his  brave  soldiers  and  country- 
men, however,  did  not  permit  him  to  separate 
himself  from  them,  and  he  returned  to  nis  es- 
tate. The  soldiers  who  had  served  under 
him  still  considered  him  their  head.  Like 
the  chief  of  some  feudal  clan,  he  received  them 
all  with  open  doors  at  his  hospitable  mansion. 
In  the  habits  he  had  acquired  in  camps  his 
property  was  expended  for  their  relief,  com- 
fort or  entertainment,  as  freely  as  they  were 
ready  on  every  occasion  to  shed  their  blood 
for  his  honor,  and  under  his  command.     '  v#!^ 


■I'^'-i^^-'*- 


m^. 


..j^,:^^.-r.,-..:. 


210 


BUNKER  HILL  BATTLE* 


His  figure  was  tall  and  commanding,  and  his 
countenance  grave,  ardent  and  impressive  as 
his  character.  With  his  presence,  and  his 
long  and  formidable  sword,  he  needed  no 
uniform  to  distinguish  him  as  a  leader.  In  a 
simple  calico  frock  he  headed  the  detachment 
of  about  one  thousand  men,  who  left  camp  at 
dark,  akid  proceeded  to  Charlestown.  Colonel 
Prescott  led  the  way  with  two  sergeants,  hav- 
ing dark  lanterns  open  only  to  the  rear,  about 
six  paces  in  front  of  the  troops. 

General  Putnam  having  the  general  super- 
intendance  of  the  expedition,  and  the  chief 
engineer,  Colonel  Gridley,  accompanied  the 
troops.       ■"'■'■ 

Profound  mystery  hung  over  the  object  of 
the  expedition  till  they  crossed  Charlestown 
Neck  and  found  the  waggons  loaded  with 
intrenching  tools. 

The  officers  were  hastening  to  order  the 
arms  to  be  stacked,  and  fortifications  com- 
menced, when  a  most  serious  confusion  arose 
as  to  the  construction  of  their  orders,  and  the 
point  to  be  fortified.  None  of  the  hills  ex- 
cept Bunker  had  yet  been  distinguished  by 
name.  And  though  this  was  the  most  com- 
manding and  most  defensible  position,  it  was 
too  far  from  the  enemy  to  annoy  their  army 
and   shipping.      This   hill    seemed   specified 


-■».•. 


BUNKER   HILL   BATTLE. 


and  his 
isive  as 
ind  his 
ded  no 
r.    In  a 
jchment 
camp  at 
Colonel 
nts,  hav- 
ar,  about 


^11 


order  the 
ions  com- 
sion  arose 
s,  and  the 
,  hills  ex- 
uished  by 

ost  com- 
lion,  it  was 
jheir  army 

specified 


only  by  mistake,  and  Breed's  Hill  was  far 
better  adapted  to  the  important  objects  of  the 
expedition,  and  better  suited  the  adventurous 
spirit  of  the  commanding  officers.  Their  most 
invaluable  moments  were  wasted  without 
coming  to  a  conclusion,  though  the  wary  and 
scientinc  engineer  again  and  again  urged  them 
to  determine  at  once  on  the  ground,  or  it 
would  be  impossible  to  complete  the  requisite 
fortifications.        '  -^  —     ^ 


t'.: 


=  rl.»,^-'". 


.■  -if- 


Breed's  Hill  was  at  length  concluded  on,  and 
Colonel  Gridley  immediately  laid  out  the  works 
upon  it  with  a  genius  and  skill  which  would 
have  honored  any  engineer  in  the  highest 
advance  of  military  science.  The  redoubt  on 
the  summit  of  the  hill  was  about  eight  rods 
square.  The  strongest  side,  on  front,  in  the 
form  of  a  redan,  faced  Charlestown,  and  pro- 
tected the  south  side  of  the  hill.  The  eastern 
side  commanded  a  very  extensive  field,  and 
in  a  line  with  this,  running  north  down  the 
side  of  the  hill  to  the  impassable  slough,  was 
formed  a  breastwork,  which,  at  the  southern 
extremity,  was  separated  from  the  redoubt 
by  a  narrow  passage  way  or  sally  port,  pro- 
tected in  front  by  a  blind.  In  the  rear  ot  the 
redoubt  was  a  passage  or  gate  way  opening 
toward  the  slough. 

The  works  marked  out,  tools  were  distrib- 
uted to  the  men ;  but  midnight  arrived  before 


212 


BUNKER   HILL   BATTLE. 


the  first  spade  entered  the  ground.  These 
brawny  veomen  were  literally,  however, 
workinff  for  their  lives  as  well  as  their  liber- 
ties, and  performed  prodigies  of  labour.  They 
were  instructed  and  stimulated  by  General 
Putnam,  Colonel  Prescott,  and  other  officers, 
among  whom  was  Major  Brooks,  distinguish- 
ed by  the  well  deserved  confidence  of  the  ar- 
my. Just  entered  on  manhood  he  relinquish- 
ed a  lucrative  profession  at  the  call  of  his 
country.  Commanding  a  battalion  of  minute 
men,  he  commenced  his  military  career  at  the 
battle  of  Lexington  and  received  the  same 
rank  in  the  army.  He  was  imperatively  call- 
ed home,  by  dangerous  sickness  in  his  family, 
and  received  no  order  to  march  with  his  reorj- 
ment.  But  the  danger  of  hii^  fellow  soldiers 
was  a  sufficient  summons,  and  he  hastened  to 
join  his  corps,  which  he  overtook  at  the  neck. 

'  There  was  an  unobscured  starlight,  and 
the  movements  of  the  neighbouring  enemy 
demanded  observation.  Colonel  Prescott  pro- 
ceeded with  Major  Brooks  to  the  shore  to 
reconnoitre  them.  Every  thing  was  (]uiet; 
they  distinctly  heard  the  enemy  relieving 
guard,  and  were  rejoiced  at  the  welcome 
cry  from  the  centries,  however  unfounded, 
"All's  well!" 

■    f  ^--  ■'*  : 

-,  ■».■ 

The  men  quietly  at  their  labours,  Genera! 
Putnam  in  the  morning  repaired  to  his  cauip^ 


to  pn 
mouni 
W£^s  r 
riding 


f^m^' 


BUNKER  HILL  BATTLE. 


213 


to  prepare  for  the  anticipated  crisis,  and  Xohe 
mounted  afresh,  for  his  gait  over  horseneck 
vid^s  not  more  expeditious  than  his  ordinary 
riding,  and  hi:  horse  required  to  be  relieved. 


•■^-■f 


Watchful  as  Argtis,  Prescott  could  hardly 
conjecture  that  the  enemy  were  so  negligent 
of  mihtary  caution,  as  to  suffer  his  powerful 
force  to  approach  their  very  threshold  un- 
observed. He  advanced  anew  to  examine 
their  situation  ;  again  a^.  was  quiet.  i 

*  .     -       ■ 

But  the  blazing  sun  began  his  approaches, 
and  the  jrey  of  the  morning  was  dissipated. 
The  veil  was  lifted  from  the  astonished  eyes 
of  the  British ;  but  they  would  hardly  credit 
their  senses  on  perceiving  their  daring  enemy 
above  them,  overlooking  their  whole  position, 
with  formidable  entrenchments,  which  had 
sprung  up  as  by  enchantment.  The  cannon  of 
tne  Lively  opened  on  the  Americans  and 
roused  their  countrymen  fiom  secure  repose, 
to  participate  in  the  same  surprise  ana  as- 
tonishment. 


■«H 


General  Gage  was  thunderstruck  at  the 
unwelcome  information,  and  sent  an  imme- 
diate summons  to  his  officers  to  meet  him  in 
a  council  of  war. 


j^^: 


Some  other  frigates,  floating  batteries,  the 
Somerset  line   of  battle  ship,  a  ibrmidable 

19 


— ■  ■  ':/'^-v:' 


ai4 


WNKER  mtL  BATTLE. 


R  * 


tcry  qf  the  heaviest  pieces,  and  a  mortar 
on  Copps  Hili^  opened  a  tremendous  fire* on 
the  Americans,  sufficient  to  appal  even  vete^ 
ran  troops. 

This  fire  was  some  time  without  effect,  but 
the  men  venturing  in  front  of  the  works,  one 
of  them  was  killed  by  a  cannon  shot.  A 
subaltern  officer  acouainted  Colonel  Prescott, 
and  asked  what  snouid  be  done.  ''  Burj 
"  him."  "  What*"  said  the  green  astonished 
officer,  "  without  prayers  !"  A  chaplain,  who 
was  present,  insisted  on  performing  service 
over  this  first  victim,  and  collected  many  of 
the  soldiers  around  him,  heedless  of  peril. 
Prescott  ordered  them  to  disperse ;  but  reli- 
gious enthusiasm  prevailed,  and  the  chaplain 
again  collected  his  congregation  in  the  midst 
oi  the  enemy's  fire,  when  the  deceased  was 
ordered  to  be  taken  and  buried  in  the  ditch. 

To  dispel  the  terror  which  this  event  ex- 
cited, Prescott  mounted  on  the  works,  and 
directed  the  labor.  '  Heedless  of  all  the  fire 
of  the  enemy,  he  was  wrought  up  to  the 
highest  pitch  of  enthusiasm,  and  transferred 
his  own  exaltation  into  every  private  under 
him.  From  oppressive  heat,  and  the  vehe- 
mence of  his  address,  his  false  hair  was 
thrown  off*,  and  waving  his  sword,  he  some- 
times upbraided  his  men  in  anger,  and  some- 
times encouraged  them  with  approbation,  or 


amuse 
standi] 
mastei 
warroi 
appeal 
lowers 
deservi 


■-i*r>i^5 


.--'Rh* 


.,..,j,_.,^,-,,, 


w 


BUTOCEK   HILL   BATTLV. 


215 


amused  them  with  humour.  Perfectly  under- 
standing his  countrymen,  he  was  complete 
master  of  their  souls.  Not  the  great  Su* 
warrow  himself  was  ever  more  negligent  of 
appearance,  or  ever  inspired  his  faithful  fol- 
lowers with  a  confidence  more  entire  or  more 
deserved. 

General  Gage  was  reconnoitring  the  ene- 
my. He  handed  the  telescope  to  Willard,  a 
mandamus  counsellor,  and  inauired,  ^^  who  it 
"  that  officer  commanding  ?"  He  instantly  re- 
cognized his  brother-in-law^  Colonel  PrtscotL 
"Will  he  fight?"  asked  Gage.  '*  Yes,  sir, 
"  depend  upon  it,  to  the  last  drop  of  blood  ia 
"  him,  but  I  cannot  answer  for  his  men,"  was 
the  reply. 

The  sufferings  of  the  men  were  great;  the 
heat  was  exceesive ;  during  a  sleepless  night 
they  had  unremittedlv  labored,  without  even 
water,  and  their  small  stock  of  provisions  was 
exhausted.  Their  officers  felt  for  them,  and 
^vished  Colonel  Prescott  to  send  to  Cambridge 
a  request  to  be  relieved.  He  called  a  coun- 
ciK  hut  instantly  crushed  the  slighest  hope  of 
a  relief.  "  The  enemy  would  not  dare  attack 
"  them,  and  if  thev  did  would  be  defeated. 
"The  men  who  had  raised  the  works  were 
"  the  best  Qualified  to  defend  them.  They 
"  had  already  learned  to  despise  the  fire  of 


-*- 


■*«!»•;'•  ■i'-:-'<ifi*-  ■■^'i; 


215 


SltrnnSR   RILL   BATTLE. 


"  the  enemy.  They  had  the  merit  of  the  la. 
"  hor,  and  should  enjoy  the  honor  of  the  vic- 
"  tory."  With  renewed  ardor  the  men  con- 
tinued their  labors. 

Captain  Nutting  with  his  company,  and 
Captain  Walker  with  a  small  detachment,* 
were  ordered  into  Charlestown,  near  the  fer- 
ry, by  Colonel  Prescott,  to  observe  the  ene- 
my's movements. 

General  Gage  met  his  officers  in  council. 
They  did  not  hesitate  as  to  the  indispensable 
necessity  of  driving  the  enemy  from  their  for- 
midable position^  but  found  it  impossible  to 
agiee  on  the  mode  of  attack.  General  Clin- 
ton and  General  Grantt  advocated  attacking 
the  enemy  in  rear.  "  Their  men  could 
"  embark  at  the  bottom  of  the  common  in 
"  boats,  land  at  Charlestown  Neck,  under 
"  protection  of  a  fire  from  the  floating  batte- 
''  lies  and  frigates,  and  would  have  the  enemy 
^' in  their  power;"  and  tliis  appeared  to  be 
the  prevailing  opinion.  But  General  Gage 
would  not  adopt  a  measure  so  adventurous. 
It  was  opposed  to  every  well  founded  military 


rule,  I 
of  prt 
hetwe 
their  ( 
posted 
in  fron 
Toundf 


*  This  doubtless  ^ave  rise  to  Gor<lon*s  statement,  that 
two  regiments  were  in  Charlestown. 

t  Declaration  of  Generdl  Grant  in  presence  of  Mr. 
'  Cotton,  now  living. 


7-si'  r»;  ■:ii 


•^1! 


\t^W  ii 


.-^m 


BUNKER   HILL    BATTLE. 


217 


rule,  and  was  in  fact  contrary  to  the  diet  itefi 
of  prudence.  They  would  expose  themselves 
between  two  armies,  one  of'  them  superior  to 
their  own  in  numbers,  and  the  other  strongly 
posted  and  foitihed;  they  would  be  attacked 
in  front  and  rear,  and  in  fiact  comj)letely  sur- 
rounded,  without  the  possibihty  of  a  retreat 
being  secured  to  them  in  case  of  disaster.  It 
was  therefore  determined  to  land  and  attack 
the  enemy  in  front. 

At  daybreak  General  Putnam  ordered  Lieu- 
tenant Clark  to  send  and  request  of  General 
Ward  a  horse  for  him  to  ride  to  Bunker  HilL 
The  lieutenant  went  himself,  but  the  gene- 
ral's impatience  could  not  await  an  answer. 
On  his  return  he  found  him  mounted  and  de<^ 
parting. 

The  result  of  General  Gage's  council  of 
war  soon  became  apparent.  The  enemy  were 
observed  moving  with  rapidity  through  the 
streets  of  Boston;  a  corps  of  drai^oons  ma- 
nceuvring  v»ithin  view  of  the  Americans  sud- 
denly galloped  off  the  ground ;  the  rattling  of 
artillery  carriages  and  waggons  was  heard, 
and  every  note  of  preparation  for  a  military 
movement.  Prescott  then  bc^lieved  the  enemy 
would  hazard  an  attack  and  was  in  ecstasy. 
"Now,  my  boys,  we  shall  have  a  fight,  and 
'^'  shall  beat  them  too,"  he  observed.    Fearleafi 

19^ 


■■'•  ;»• 


21  ri 


BUNKER   HILL  BATTLC. 


TTl 


■*v 


I''  I 


himself  he  thought  the  worid  so  too,  and  his 
confidence  was  too  implicit  in  the  raw  troops 
and  inexperienced  commanders  collecting,  for 
as  an  army  they  can  hardly  be  said  to  nave 
collected,  at  Cambridge.  It  was  nine  o'clock; 
provisions  and  drink  had  been  requested  from 
General  Ward,  but  none  had  ^i  rived,  nor  any 
troops  to  replace  those  at  the  entrenchments. 
Colonel  Prescott  called  another  council  of 
ivar ;  again  he  refused  to  hear  a  word  as  to 
displacing  his  men,  but  consented  to  send  to 
General  Ward  for  refreshments  and  reinforce*' 
ments.  i 

Major  Brooks  was  selected  to  proceed  to 
Cambridge  and  wait  on  General  Ward  for  this 
purpose.  For  greater  expedition  he  was  di- 
rected to  take  one  of  the  artillery  horses,  but 
the  order  was  vehemently  opposed  by  Captain 
Gridley,  who  feared  for  the  safety  of  his 
pieces  if  a  single  horse  was  taken  from  him^. 
Prescott  then  directed  him  to  proceed  on  foot 
"whh  as  much  despatch  as  possible.  He  arriv- 
ed at  head  quarters  about  ten,  and  delivered 
his  instructions  to  General  Ward.  The  gen- 
eral hesitated  as  to  the  policy  of  sending  re- 
inforcements to  Charlestown,  and  doubted 
whether  the  real  intention  of  the  enemy  was 
to  make  his  attack  on  that  point.  At  Cam- 
bridge and  Watertown  were  the  scanty  depots 
of  ammunition,  ordnance  stores  and  mateiiel 


^-m' 


^JW> 


*     , 


>-^' 


'•i^  ^ 

..4..- 


BUNKER  RILL   BATTLE. 


of  every  species  belonging  to  the  army.  On 
these  the  salvation  of  the  couL./y  seemed  to 
depend,  and  he  presumed  the  enemy  intended 
to  seize  the  present  opportunity,  to  make  an 
attack  on  head  quarters,  and  gain  possession 
of  the  depots. 

The  Committee  of  Safety  was  then  in  ses* 
sion  in  the  very  house  in  which  the  general 
quartered,  and  to  them  he  communicated  the 
information  and  request,  brought  by  Major 
Brooks.  Richard  Devens,  one  of  the  mem- 
bers, was  of  Charlestown.  His  anxiety  that 
his  estate  and  native  town  should  be  protect- 
ed from  the  inroad  of  the  enemy,  amounted 
almost  to  phrenzy ;  his  importunity  with  the 
general  and  the  committee  to  have  ample  re- 
inforcements sent  to  Colonel  Prescott  was 
equally  vehement  and  impassioned.  The  com- 
mittee recommended  sending  reinforcements, 
and  the  general  consented  that  orders  should 
go  to  the  New  Hampshire  troops,  stationed  at 
Medford,  to  proceed  to  Charlestown  and  re- 
inforce Colonel  Prescott,  and  these  orders 
were  immediately  sent  to  Colonel  Staik  and 
Colonel  Reed. 

General  Warren,  the  Chairman  of  the  Com- 
miUee  of  Safety  was  present.  The  day  be- 
fore he  had  ofHciated  as  Pn  sidt;nt  of  the  Con- 
gress at  Water  town,  and  had  passed  the  night 


^ 


.m- 


'^ 


.:«^^_ 


.^-.-.-.-.^ 


fc     . 


220 


8UNKER   HILL   BATTLfi. 


there,  engaged  in  the  accumulated  concerns  of 
the  public.  His  friend,  Honorable  Elbridge 
Gerry,  had  learned  the  determination  to  take 
and  fortify  Bunker  Hill.  He  remonstrated 
with  him  agairist  the  glaring  imprudence  of  the 
measure,  with  our  defective  means.  "We 
*'  had  not  powder  to  maintain  the  desperate 
*'  conflict  which  must  ensue,  and  should  all  be 
•'  cut  to  pieces."  General  Warren  confessed 
heentertamed  the  same  opinion;  but  it  was  de- 
termined otherwise,  and  he  was  resolved  to 
share  .the  fate  ol  his  countrymen.  His  friend 
conjured  him  not  to  expose  his  invaluable  life 
where  his  destruction  would  he  useless  and 
inevitable.  '*  I  know  it,^'  said  the  hero,  "  but  I 
*'  live  within  sound  o(  the  cannon,  and  should 
"die  were  1  to  remain  at  home  while  my  fsl- 
"  low  citizens  are  shedding  their  blood  for  me 
"and  my  country."  He  arrived  at  Cambridge 
by  daylight,  complained  of  headache  and  threw 
himself  on  the  bed.  On  receiving  information 
that  the  enemy  were  coming  out.  General 
Ward  sent  to  notify  him.  He  jumped  from 
his  bed,  declared  "  his  headache  was  gone 
"  then,"  and  after  meeting  with  the  Committee 
of  Safety,  mounted  his  horse,  and  with  his  fu- 
sil and  sword  repaired  to  the  post  of  dang(  r. 
He  joined  General  Putnam,  and  they  consult- 
ed on  measures  to  be  pursued.  General  Put- 
nam informed  him  that  "  from  long  experience 
"  he  perfectly  comprehended  the  character  of 
'*  the  British  army  j  they  would  ultimately  sue- 


.if  r 


^inCER   HILL    F       TLB. 


221 


«ceed  and  drive  us  from  the  works,  but  fi  41 
<^the  mode  of  attack  they  had  chosen,  it  as 
**in  our  power  to  do  them  infinite  misct  *ef, 
"  though  we  must  be  prepared  for  a  brave  and 
«  orderly  retreat,  when  we  could  maintain  our 
"trround  no  longer."  Warren  expressed  his- 
full  assent  to  these  opinions  and  agreed  to  be 
governed  by  them. 

At  eleven  the  New  Hampshire  troops  re- 
ceived orders  from  Cambridge.  About  filteen 
charges  of  loose  powder  and  balls  were  dis- 
tributed to  each,  and  they  were  directed  to 
form  these  into  cartridges  immediately.  Few 
of  the  men,  however,  possessed  cartridge  box- 
es, but  employed  only  powder  horns ;  and 
scarcely  two  of  their  guns  agreeing  in  calibre, 
they  were  obliged  to  alter  the  balls  accord- 
ingly. 

...  --„  ■ ,    T 

At  the  long  wharf,  in  Boston,  four  battalions 
of  British  infantry,  ten  companies  of  grena- 
diers, and  ten  of  light  infantry,  were  embark- 
ed in  boats.  Some  of  these  w^ere  taken  from 
transports,  and  had  never  disembarked  since 
their  voyage.  They  were  now  to  land,  not 
like  Antaeus,  to  gain  new  strength  from  the 
earth,  but  to  shed  their  lite's  blood  on  her 
bosom.  ,  . 

About  one  o'clock  a  large  portion  of  these 
troops,  together  with  six  pieces  of  cannon  and 


m:: 


■^^-  M 


:^* 


%- 


■:%. 


'-'A 


«!»•! 

«! 


■ii\ 


i/k'"!' 


\ 


-4' 


22S 


AUNKER  HILL  BA^tLfi. 


howitzers,  landed  at  Morton's  Point.  Here 
the)'  immediately  discovered  a  most  disastrous 
mistake ;  the  cartridges  sent  for  the  use  of  the 
artillery  were  too  large  for  the  pieces.  They 
were  immediately  sent  back,  and  a  new  sup- 
ply obtained.  At  the  same  time  General 
Howe,  the  commander  of  the  forces,  discover- 
ing on  his  near  approach  the  formidable  na- 
ture of  the  enemy's  position,  requested  rein- 
forcements from  Genera]  Gage.  About  two 
o'clock  the  remainder  of  the  forces  leave 
Winnisimit  Ferry  and  land  at  Morton's  Point; 
and  soon  after  the  reinforcements,  the  forty 
seventh  battalion,  a  battalion  of  marines,  ex* 
cept  a  few  of  this  corps  who  were  preparing 
to  embark,  a  few  companies  of  grenadiers?  and 
light  infantry,  Ittnd  under  the  eastern  end  of 
Breed's  Hill,  at  Madlin's  shipyard.  All  these 
troops  cannot  be  estimated  at  legs  than  five 
thousand ;  if  the  corps  were  but  half  full  there 
were  four  thousand  three  hundred  and  fifty. 
While  the  enemy  were  landing  General  Put- 
nam ordered  Captain  Knowlton,  with  the 
Connecticut  troops,  to  take  post  behind  a  rail 
fence,  which  ran  across  the  tongile  of  land, 
from  the  road  to  Mystic  River,  a  distance  of 
two  hundred  and  fifty  yards.  In  front  of  this 
whole  line  of  fence  was  a  thick  orchard,  and 
another,  more  spare,  in  the  rear.  These 
troops  pulled  up  the  neighbouring  fences,  and 
placing  them  near  the  one  at  whiqh  they  were 
posteo,  threw  in  the  new  mown  grass  between. 


^■'^ 


-.j'*''"'^'':'*' 


BUNKER   HILL   BATTLE, 


229 


Few  of  the  fields,  ho^xvever,  were  mown^  and 
this  cuver  was  a  mere  shadow  of  a  defence. 

Tiiis  fence  was  one  hundred  and  ninety 
jards  in  rear  of  the  breastwork,  and  eighty 
yards  in  rear  of  the  head  or  western  end  of 
tiie  slough,  leaving  a  very  extensive  opening 
between  the  breastwork  and  rail  fence,  by 
which  the  left  flank  of  the  breastwork,  and 
troops  resting  on  the  slough,  were  entirely 
exposed  to  cannon  shot;  and  a  considerable 
space,  one  hundred  yards  diagonally,  between 
the  slough  and  the  rail  fence,  was  open  to  the 
advance  of  infantry.  This  was  the  weak 
point  and  the  very  key  of  the  American  poei- 
tiou. 


»''«, 


The«detachments  in  Charlestown  were  now 
recalled  by  Colonel  Prescott,  and  took  post 
at  a  narrow  cart  way,  which  ran  from  the 
southeastern  angle  of  the  redoubt,  directly 
south,  to  the  narrow  way  round  the  hilK 
They  placed  the  fences  together,  and  thi;§lf 
in  grass,  as  was  done  on  the  left.  \^i}^« 

The  thundering  caainonade  of  the  enemy 
soon  spread  the  information  of  an  approaching 
engagement.  The  American  citizens  in  the 
neighbourhood  flocked  to  the  scene,  and  the 
soldiers  voluntarily  ran  to  arms,  and  entreat- 
ed to  be  led  against  the  foe.  Colonel  Little's 
regiment  had  just  arrived  from  Essex  and 


"  ''ir 


''W 


^HQ 


■■;,-  .-,•"' "  v-w^^'irvr-^y:"  ;';-'f^  ^ 


224 


BUNKER   HILL   BATTLE. 


were  not  ever)  commissioned.  Awaiting  no 
orders,  they  left  their  quarters  in  West  Cam- 
bridge, marched  to  General  Ward  and  tender- 
ed their  services. 

The  Connecticut  troops  were  equally  anx- 
ious to  join  their  general ;  they  were  all  un- 
der arms,  and  sent  to  head  quarters  for  orders. 
Bui  General  Ward  informed  them  they  had 
already  the  post  of  honor,  for  the  biitish 
were  expected  to  land  at  Inman's  farm  their 
present  position. 


•■n  S 


For  greater  caution  Colonel  Gardner's  re- 

fiment,  and  one  or  two  others,  were  marrhod 
alf  way  toCharlestown  there  to  wait  further 
orders.  But  the  enemy's  intentions  were  novr 
clearly  pronounced,  by  their  preparation  to 
land  at  Charlestown.  Orders  were  in  haste 
despatched  to  a  number  of  infantry  regiments 
—Captain  Callender's  company  and  Major 
Gridley's  battalion  of  artillery,  to  proceed  in- 
stantly to  Charlestown  to  reinforce  their  coun< 
trymen.         »     ;  .     •    .    ' 

'  Colonel  Prescott  had  stretched  the  endur- 
ance and  exertions  of  his  detachment  to  the 
utmost  of  the  human  constitution  They  had 
thrown  up  a  defence  good  against  muskets, 
and  most  of  it  against  artillery.  But  the  com- 
manding summit  of  Bunker  Hill,  of  vital  iinpor- 
^>    tance  to  them  in  case  of  retreat,  was  not  yet 


fortifii 

that  a 

tion  s( 

]y  nefi 

the  scl 

the  mc 

fectij  ( 

of  entr 

Jy  seiz< 

paigns, 

results 

Jacksoi 

to  be  c 

rear. 


BUNKER   HILL   BATTLE. 


225 


fortified.  Putnam  was  anxious  and  mortified 
that  a  post,  on  which  his  defence  and  reputa- 
tion so  materially  depended,  should  be  entire- 
ly neglected.  His  mother  wit,  cultivated  in 
the  school  of  experience,  under  British  officers, 
the  most  distinguished  masters  of  the  day,  per- 
fectly comprehended  the  immense  importance 
of  entrenching.  He  seemed  to  have  mtuitive- 
ly  seized  the  maxims  of  Caesar's  learned  cam** 
paigns,  as  well  as  to  anticipate  the  scientific 
results  of  such  modem  defences  as  General 
Jackson's.  He  ordered  the  entrenching  tools 
to  be  carried  by  a  laige  detachment  to  the 


rear. 


The  first  division  of  the  enemy  awaiting  the 
remainder  of  the  detachment,  which  had  not 
yet  embarked,  were  quietly  dining,  and  most 
of  them  for  the  last  time,  from  their  crowded 
and  cumbrous  knapsacks.  ^ 

General  Putnam  seized  the  opportunity  of 
hastening  to  Cambridge,  whence  ne  returned 
with  the  reinforcements.  He  had  to  pass  a 
galling  enfilading  fire  of  round,  bar  and  chain 
shot,  which  thundered  across  the  neck  from 
the  Glasgow  frigate  in  the  channel  of  Charles 
River,  and  two  floating  batteries  hauled  close 
to  the  shore. 


^"1 


And  now  the  brave  Stark  arrit«d  with  his 
regiment.    General  Putnam  reserved  a  part 

20 


•^^*; 


22G 


BUMKER   HILL   BATTLE. 


of  it,  to  throw  up  a  work  on  Bunker  Hill,  and 
ordered  him  to  press  on  to  the  lines  as  quick 
as  possible,  with  the  remainder.  They  pro- 
ceeded with  the  other  New  Hampshire  regi- 
ment under  Colonel  Reed,  and  joined  the 
Connecticut  troops  at  the  rail  fence. 

About  five  thousand  British  troops,  and  a 
new  supply  of  artillery  ammunition,  had  land- 
ed. Major  General  Howe  was  their  com- 
mander, a  distinguished  soldier,  and  like  all  his 
family,  of  undaunted  bravery  ;  under  him  was 
General  Pigot,  and  the  other  renowned  chiefs 
were.  Colonels  Nesbit,  Abercrombie,  Clarke, 
Majors  Butler,  Williams,  Bruce,  Spendlove, 
Smelt,  Mitchell,  Pitcairn,  Short,  Small,  Lords 
Percy  and  Rawdon.  The  troops  were  in 
columns,  waiting  the  signal  to  advance.  They 
and  their  enemy  opposed  to  them  were  in  a 
vast  amphitheatre,  formed  by  elevated  heidits 
which  rise  from  Boston  Bay,  surrounding  them 
on  every  otlier  side  at  the  distance  only  of  a 
few  miles.  These  heights  were  covered  with 
Americans,  who  had  been  brought  from  a  dis- 
tance, by  anxious  curiosity,  to  witness  a  scene 
so  sublime,  and  learn  the  event  of  a  contest, 
on  which  the  fate  of  a  new  world  depended; 
and  many  of  them  to  witness  the  fate  of  a  par- 
ent, brotner  or  husband  engaged.  The  heights 
and  thn  steeples  in  Boston  were  similarly 
crowded  by  tne  inhabitants  and  British  sol- 
diers.    And  many  a  soldier^s  wife  witnessed 


the  e\ 
she  w 
thousa 

A  it 

ed  on 
Airierfi 
aJded 
and  shi 
tie  was 

• 

I/)  feres  t 
liauon. 

Thei 
was  the 
faintly  r 
They  h; 
Hill,  bu^ 
perfect 
broken, 
served. 


Thecj 
the  trooi 


Works, 


Little' 
to  their 
advance! 
'•edoubt, 
^hion  bel 
on  the  fl 


BUNKER   HILL   BATTLE. 


227 


and 
lick 
pro- 
egi- 
the 


the  evenb,  with  a  melancholy  foreboding  that 
she  was  left  a  widow,  and  her  home  three 
thousand  miles  across  the  ocean. 

~^  .  . 
A  tremendous  cannonade  from  Boston  open- 
ed on  the  camp  at  Roxbury,  to  contain  th« 
Americans  who  were  there  under  arms.  It 
added  to  the  continued  roar  of  the  batteriei 
and  shipping  against  Charlestown,  and  the  bat- 
tle was  commencing.  It  was  indeed  a  scen« 
interesting  beyond  the  reach  of  human  imagi- 
nation. 

The  field  artillery  opened  on  the  works  ;  it 
was  the  signal  to  advance.  The  Americans 
faintly  responded  with  their  two  small  pieces. 
They  had  tired  a  few  useless  shot  at  Copps 
Hit!)  but  there  were  no  embrasures  in  the  im- 
perfect redoubt;  their  slight  platform  was 
oroken,  and  the  artillery  cartridges  were  re- 
served, , 

The  drums  beat  to  arms.  Putnam  left  his 
works,  commenced  on  Bunker  Hill,  and  led 
the  troops  into  action. 

Little's  regiment  arrived  ;  he  ordered  them 
to  their  posts.  Captain  Warner's  company 
advanced  to  the  rail  fence  on  the  right  of  the 
redoubt,  Captain  Perkins'  to  the  exposed  po-r 
sition  between  the  breastwork  and  rail  fence 
on  the  left,  and  the  remainder  found  tl^ei^ 


'^' 


228 


BI/NKfeft  HILL  BATTLE. 


1'. 


places  in  the  ]ine.  Colonel  lonathan  Brewer, 
with  his  regiment,  and  Captain  Cailcnder, 
with  his  artillerj,  also  arrived,     ^r" 

The  veteran  General  Pomeroy  heard  the 
pealing  artillerj,  which  seemed  to  invite  him 
to  battle ;  he  was  a  soldier  too  brave,  and  a 
patriot  too  ardent,  to  resist  a  summons  so 
agreeable.  He  requested  a  horse  of  General 
W^rd,  to  carry  him  to  the  field ;  delighted  at 
an  aid  so  important,  it  was  instantly  supplied. 
With  his  musket  and  cartridges  he  repaired  to 
the  neck ;  inquiring  of  a  sentry  posted  there, 
and  viewing  the  gi-ound  and  the  tremendous  fire 
across,  he  was  atarraed  not  for  himself,  but  for 
the  horse  he  had  borrowed ;  he  delivered  him 
to  the  sentry,  and  coolly  marched  across.  He 
advanced  to  the  rail  fence  at  the  left  His  ap- 
proach gave  new  confidence  to  the  men ;  they 
received  him  with  the  highest  exultation,  and 
the  name  of  General  Pomeroy  rang  through 
the  line.  In  early  life  he  had  been  an  ingeni- 
ous mechanic,  and  many  a  soldier  was  sup- 
plied with  arms  of  his  manufacture.  Had 
Vulcan  himself  supplied  the  Grecians  with  his 
celestial  armor,  and  appeared  in  their  ranks, 
lhey  would  not  have  uecn  more  certain  of 
victory.       j 

General  Warren  took  post  at  the  redoubt. 
Colonel  Prescott  offered  him  the  command) 
but  he  had  not  yet  received  his  commission, 


and  t 
volun 
"  fron 

Th( 
slowij 
tillery 
the  w< 
raarkal 
ed  two 
to  reco 


I-  (   ♦  ^i 


fiUNKER  HILL  BATTLE. 


229 


■'«*' 


jwer, 
nder, 


d  the 
e  him 
md  a 


irt 


1 

and  tendered  the  colonel  his  assistanc^o  as  a 
volunteer ;  "  he  was  happy  to  learn  service 
"  from  a  soldier  of  experience." 

The  columns  of  the  enemy  v\rere  advancing 
slowly,  and  halted  at  intervals,  to  give  the  ar- 
tillery an  opportunity  to  render  a  passage  over 
the  works  practicable.  General  Howe,  re- 
niarkably  tail,  and  a  prominent  mark,  advanc- 
ed two  hundred  yards  in  front  of  the  troopsr 
to  reconnoitre. 

The  fifth  regiment,  one  of  grenadiers,  and 
another  of  light  infantry,  move  under  cover  of 
the  tongue  of  land,  at  the  foot  of  it  display, 
and  advance  in  front  to  the  rail  fence;  except 
nine  of  the  light  companies,  who  move  by 
the  right  flank  on  the  shore  of  Mystic  River 
to  turn  the  American  left.  This  attack  was^ 
led  by  General  Howe. 

The  fifty  second  regiment,  thirty  eighth,^ 
thirty  fifth,  forty  seventh,  three  grenadier  and? 
three  light  companies,  and  the  marines,  under 
cover  of  Breed  s  Hill,  display,  and  are  led  by 
General  Pigot  against  the  redoubt  and  breast- 
work.. 


redoubt, 
mmand) 
imisbion, 


The  lines  advanced  and  soon  opened  to' 
view.     The  American  marksmen  are  with  dif- 
ficulty restrained  from  firing.     General   Put-- 
nam  rode  through  the  line,  and  ordered  that- 
20* 


230 


B     KER  HILL  BATTLE. 


^r 


no  one  should  fire  till  they  arrived  within  eight 
rods,  nor  any  one  till  commanded.  '^  Powder 
*'  was  scarce  and  must  not  be  wasted.  They 
**  should  not  fire  at  the  enemy  till  they  saw 
*'  the  white  of  their  eyes,  and  then  fire  low, 
^^  take  aim  at  their  waistbands.  They  were 
/^  all  marksmen,  and  could  kill  a  squirrel  at 
^a  hundred  yards;  reserve  their  fire,  and  the 
^^  e|iemy  were  all  destroyed.  Aim  at  the  hand- 
^  some  coats,  pick  off  the  commanders.'^  The 
same  orders  were  reiterated  by  Prescott  at 
the  redoubt,  by  Pomeroy,  Stark,  and  all  the 
veteran  officers. 

The  enemy  were  within  gunshot  of  the  re- 
doubt; a  few  of  the  sharp  shooters  could  not 
resist  the  temptation  and  fired.  Prescott  was 
indignant  at  this  contempt  of  his  orders ;  wav- 
ing his  sword  he  swore  instant  death  against 
the  first  who  disobeyed  again,  appealed  to 
their  well  known  confidence  in  him,  and  pro- 
mised to  give  them  orders  at  the  proper  mo- 
ment. 


-  \ 


#, 


The  enemy  were  at  eight  rods  distance,  the 
deadly  muskets  were  levelled,  when  Prescott 
commanded  his  men  to  take  good  aim,  be  sure 
of  their  mark,  and  fire. .  He  was  effectuali/ 
obeyed.  The  whole  front  rank  was  swept 
away,  and  many  a  gallant  officer  laid  low. 
They  were,  however,  countrjmen  of  those 
who  gave  the  fire,  and  received  it  with  the 


same 
Ranli 
buttl 
well  J 
courai 
surly  : 

treat. 

Wa 

and  wj 
exampi 
an  offic 
Presco 


ivder 
rhey 

saw 
low, 
were 
el  at 
d  the 
hand- 

The 
Qtt  at 
11  the 


BUNKER  HILL  B4TTLE.  2^1 

same  cool  courage  with  which  it  wa?  given. 
Rank  succeeded  rank,  and  returned  the  fire^ 
hut  the  odds  was  fearful ;  the  Americans  were 
well  protected  by  the  works ;  the  efforts  and 
courage  of  the  enemy  were  in  vain,  and  with 
surly  reluctance  they  were  compelled  to  re*- 
treat.   ^■"-■'  ■  «         •  ,,.-^-  *%'^'- 


f "  t 


Warren  animated  and  encouraged  the  men, 
and  with  the  rest  of  the  officers*,  set  them  an 
exainple  with  his  musket ;  there  was  scarcely 
an  officer  of  any  grade,  except  Putnam  and 
Prescott,  without  one. 

Perfect  as  was  the  fire  of  the  American 
infantry,  their  artillery  was  as  grossly  defec- 
tive in  every  respect.  This  arm  requires 
science,  e:sperieiice  and  knowledge  of  position. 
But  the  artillery  companies  were  just  selected 
from  the  infantry,  and  entirely  i^orant  of  their 
duty.  Callender  carried  his  pieces  in|o  aciion, 
but  his  cartridges  required  adjusting.  Totally 
in  violation  of  military  discipline,  he  left  his 
post  without  orders,  and  was  retiring  to  a  se- 
cure place  under  cover  of  the  hill,  to  prepare 
for  firing.  Putnam  observed  this  appearance 
of  retreat  and  was  fired  with  indignation  ;  he 
ordered  him  instantly  to  his  post ;  Callender 
remonstrated,  but  Putnam  threatened  him  with 
instant  death,  if  he  hesitated,  and  forced  him 
back.  Hi '  men,  however,  were  dis2;usted  with 
a  part  of  the  service  they  did  not  understand^ 


.  €>■• 


*i 


''hii 


lit 


y:,./ 


*^ 


|i?-v 


% 


^-m  . 


If*' 

H  ■ 


*■ 


232 


'-f  iiW,.. 


BUNKER  HILL  BATTLE. 


■«■ 


most  of  them  had  muskets  and  mingled  in  the 
fight ;  the  pieces  were  entirely  desel'ted,  and 
the  captain  relinquished  them.  :    r  : 

The  British  had  neglected  the  only  ma- 
noeuvre which  would  have  defeated  the  ene- 
my, to  mount  the  works  and  charge  with  the 
bayonet.  The  Americans  had  scarcely  a  bay- 
one|  to  a  company,  and  it  must  have  succeed- 
ed. Under  cover  of  the  hill  they  prepared 
for  another  onset. 

Their  fellow  soldiers  on  the  right  ctrrived 
about  the  time  of  this  attack  on  the  redoubt 
to  within  about  one  hundred  yards  of  the 
Americans.  They  were  throwing  down  a 
fence,  when  a  few  marksmen  iired  on  them. 
Putnam  was  enraged  at  this  disobedience  of 
an  order  on  which  the  salvation  of  the  army 
depended ;  h^  rode  to  the  spot,  his  sword 
whistling  through  the  air ;  in  his  indignation  he 
threatened  to  cut  down  the  first  who  dared  to 
fire  again  without  orders.  The  discharge 
from  these  few  muskets,  however,  drew  the 
fire  from  the  enemy's  line,  which  continued 
moving  on,  and  when  about  eight  rods  from 
the  ienc^,  the  fatal  order  was  given  ;  the  fire 
of  the  Americans  mowed  them  down  with  the 
same  tremendous  severitv,  as  at  the  redoubt. 
The  q/ficers  especially  fell  victims  to  their, 
deadly  aiuk 


i)ur 
and  roi 
was  dii 
ing  the 
bail  the 

The 
musketi 
Jarity,  h 
almost  < 
l^heir  a 
kilns  in 
effect, 
ed  the  g 
corapellc 
victory  r 

Gener 

sufficient 

reach  th 

wore  an 

venture 

overcome 

fore   the 

threatenc 

horse  wit 

ward  am 

the  hottf 

no  dangJ 

clouds  ol 

Were  peri 

nerabfe, 


BUNKER  HILL  BATTLE. 


23^ 


During  this  tremendous  fire  of  musketry 
and  roar  of  cannon^  McClarj's  gigantic  voice- 
y/As  distinctly  heard,  animating  and  encourag- 
ing the  men  as  though  he  would  inspire  every 
ball  that  sped  with  his  own  fire  and  energy.. 

The  British  fired  their  heaviest  vollies  of 
musketry  with  admirable  coolness  and  regu- 
larity, but  without  aim,  at  the  Americans,  and 
almost  every  ball  passed  harmless  ove«*  them. 
Their  artillery  haa  been  stopped  by  the  brick 
kilns  in  the  low  ground,  and  produced  littid 
effect.  This  wing  of  the  army  having  cover- 
ed the  ground  with  their  dead,  were  at  length 
compelled  likewise  to  retreat ;  and  the  huzza  of 
victory  reechoed  through  the  American  line* 

General  Ward  had  by  this  time  despatched 
sufficient  reinforcements,  but  they  did  not 
reach  the  field.  I^he  fire  across  the  neck 
wore  an  aspect  too  terrific  for  raw  troops  to 
venture  in  it.  Putnam  fiew  to  the  sppt  to 
overcome  their  fears  and  hurry  them  on  be- 
fore the  enemy  returned.  He  entreated, 
threatened  and  encouraged  them ;  lashing  his 
horse  with  the  fiat  of  his  sword,  he'rode  back- 
ward and  forward  across  the  neck,  through 
the  hottest  fire,  to  convince  them  there  was 
no  danger.  The  balls  however  threw  up 
clouds  of  dust  about  him,  and  the  soldiers 
were  perfectly  convinced  that  he  was  invul- 
nerable, but  not  equally  conscious  of  being  SQ 


*:■ 


M 


f  / 


*«# 


■  ■'-^;i';    -*■,-■■ 


,r   '■_^ 


■'i. 


\ 


.ritrr 


234 


BUNKER   HILL   BATTLE. 


themselves.*    Some  of  these  troops,  however, 
ventured  over.  ^  s  .;     i       • 

The  battalion  of  artillery  under  Major 
Gridley  had  proceeded  hut  a  few  hundred 
rods  down  the  road  to  Charlestown  when 
they  ivere  halted,  and  this  officer  determined 
not  to  proceed  to  the  hill  but  wait  and  cover 
the  retreat,  which  he  considered  inevitable. 
He  was  young  and  inexperienced,  and  totally 
inadequate  to  the  important  command  which 
had  been  conferred  on  him  in  conjpliment  to 
his  father.  Colonel  Grid  ley.  He  was  con- 
founded with  the  dangers  and  difficulties  of 
his  situation,  and  never  recovered  his  self 
possession  during  the  day. 

While  the  artillery  was  halted  in  this  situa- 
tion. Colonel  James  Frye,  (who  was  absent 
from  his  regiment  on  duty  the  day  before,  but 
the  battle  approaching,  had  found  his  way  to 
the  field,)  riaing  from  Charlestown  galloped  up 
to  them  dnd  demanded  of  the  senior  captain,t 
"  why  this  unseasonable  halt !"  He  was  aston- 
ished at  the  reply,  and  ordered  them  instantly 
to  the  field.  This  veteran  also  animated  their 
courage  by  the  glorious  recollection  "  this  day 

*  The  principal  fact  here  is  proved  by  the  deposition 
of  Mr.  Samuel  Bassett  j  the  other  circumstances  by  oral 
testimony.  .    ,         ^f  > ;  ■    , 

t  Yet  living,  and  from  whom  we  have  this  anecdo]te.  ' 


**  thin 
**Lou 
"it  is 
"  certi 

The 
them; 
gBgem 
on  to  C 
^oatin^ 
absurd^ 
tain  T 
ordered 
for  the 


■^' " "  .■" -^^iiif'-^r 


BUNKER  HILL  BATTLE. 


235 


**  thirty  years  since,  I  "was  at  the  taking  of 
"  Louisbourg  when  it  was  surrendered  to  us ; 
"  il  is  a  fortunate  day  for  America,  we  shall 
"  certainly  beat  the  enemy." 

The  artillery  proceeded.  Gridley  joined 
them ;  but  his  aversion  to  joining  in  the  en- 
gagement was  invincible,  and  he  ordered  them 
on  to  Cobble  Hill  to  fire  at  the  Glasgow  and 
floating  batteries.  The  order  was  so  palpably 
absurd,  with  their  three  pounders,  that  Cap- 
tain Trevett  absolutely  refused  obedience, 
ordered  his  men  to  follow  him,  and  marched 
for  the  lines. 

Major  Gridley  was  sensible  his  artillery 
woula  be  hazarded  without  infantry  to  cover 
them.  Colonel  Mansfield  had  been  ordered 
with  his  regiment  to  reinforce  the  troops  at 
Charlestown,  but  being  peremptorily  com- 
manded by  Major  Gridley,  whom  he  consid- 
ered high  military  authority,  to  cover  his 
pieces,  he  complied  in  violation  of  his  orders. 

General  Putnam  left  the  neck  for  Bunker 
Hill  to  bring  up  the  reinforcements.  He  there 
found  Colonel  Gerrish  with  his  regiment  and 
some  other  scattered  troops.  Trie  colonel 
had  been  a  captain  in  the  provincial  army  of 
1756;  he  was  of  unwieldy  corpulence  and  a 
disposition  by  far  too  quiet  for  a  soldier^s. 
He  had  marched  his  men  rapidly  from  .Capa- 


m- 


X..    J,      .^ 


■IT* 


!236 


BUNKER  HILL  BATTLBii 


bridge,  and  unwisely  halted  them  here  to  rest. 
The  blazing  sun  and  tremendous  fire  of  the 
€nemj  combmed  were  far  too  powerful  for 
the  faintness  of  his  militarj  ardor  to  overcome. 
The  men  were  disorganized  and  dispersed  on 
the  west  side  of  the  hill,  and  covered  by  the 
summit  from  the  fire.  Putnam  ordered  them 
on  to  the  lines ;  he  entreated  and  threatened 
them,  and  some  of  the  most  cowardly  he 
knocked  down  with  his  sword,  but  all  in  vain. 
The  men  complained  they  had  not  their  offi- 
cers ;  he  offered  to  lead  them  on  himself,  but 
**  the  cannon  were  deserted  and  they  stood  no 
"  chance  without  them."  The  battle  indeed 
appeared  here  in  all  its  horrors.  The  Brit- 
ish musketry  fired  high  and  took  effect  on 
this  elevated  hill  and  it  was  completely  ex- 
pi3sed  to  the  combined  fire  from  their  ships, 
batteries,  and  field  pieces. 

The  enemy  were  by  this  time  organized 
anew  and  were  again  advancing  to  the  attack. 
Putnam's  duty  called  him  to  the  lines.  At 
this  time  Captain  Ford  appeared  with  his 
company.  He  served  in  a  regiment  under  the 
veteran  Lieutenant  Colonel  I^arker  and  Major 
Brooks.  Of  them  he  had  learned  the  duties 
of  a  soldier.  He  had  already  signalized  him- 
self at  Lexington  battle  by  killing  hve  of  the 
enemy.  His  orders  were  to  proceed  to  the 
lines  and  reinforce  the  troops;  he  obeyed, 
marched  unconcerned  across  the  neck  and 


was  pi 

Putnam 

tune.     ( 

the  foot 

with   hi 

The  cap 

"  iotBWy 

"  ploymc 

emptorir 

his  comp 

general  I 

The  h 

and  firm 

before  th< 

compellec 

the  same 

Their  cuj 

impassabi 

face  of  th 

yfd\  as  an 

One  new  i 

bodies  of 

the  groun( 

late  them 

venge  thei 

ments,  a  fc 

the  Mt 


The  A 
and  perfec 
^ad  been 


n 


■*'Kl 


'<^; 


.•"^ 


BUNKER  HILL  BATTLE. 


237 


was  proceeding  down  Bunker  Hill,  when 
Putnam  was  delighted  with  an  aid  so  oppor- 
tune. Callender's  deserted  cannon  were  at 
the  foot  of  the  hill ;  he  ordered  Captain  Ford 
with  his  company  to  draw  them  into  line. 
The  captain  remonstrated  "  his  company  were 
^^  totally  ignorant  of  the  discipline  and  em- 
"ployment  of  artillery."  But  the  general  per- 
emptorily persisting  m  his  order,  he  obeyed ; 
his  company  moved  with  ike  cannon  anci  the 
creneral  himself  to  the  rail  Fence. 


The  heroic  enemy  with  unwavering  step 
and  firm  undaunted  bravery  appeareaagafh 
before  the  murderous  lines  which  had  already 
compelled  them  to  retreat.  They  had  nearly 
the  same  obstacles  ^  to  overcome  as  before. 
Their  cumbrous  knapsacks,  tall  and  alraost 
impassable  grass,  and  a  torrid  sun  blazing  in 
face  of  them  they  bad  to  contend  against,  as 
well  as  an  enemy  every  way  worthy  of  them. 
One  new  obstacle  they  had  to  pass,  the  dead 
bodies  of  their  fellow  soldiers  which  covered 
the  ground.  But  this  served  rather  to  stimu- 
late them  to  still  more  daring  efforts  to  re- 
venge their  fall.  The  last  of  the  reinforce- 
raents,  a  few  companies  of  marines,  arrived  on 
the  left. 


.i».it5    s-riii,!. 


■•»l«;  j.Rit   i. 


The  Americans  were  now  more  confident 
and  perfect  than  before  in  a  manoeuvte  which 
had  been  crowned  with  success.     It  was  in- 
21 


238 


BUNKER  HIlL  BATTLE. 


deed  perfectly  simple,  but  equally  fatal  to  the 
foe.     They  received  orders  to  reserve  their 
fire  till   the  enemy  approached  still  nearer 
than  before.    At  six  rods  only  they  were  per- 
mitted to  return  the  fire.     The  British  artil- 
lery approached  by  the  narrow  road  between 
the  tongue  of  land  and  Breed's  Hill,  within 
three  hundred   yards  of  the  rail  fence,  and 
almost  in  a  line  with  the  redoubt,  and  opened 
on  the  lines  to  purepare  a  way  for  their  in- 
fantry.    The  latter  commenced  a  regular  and 
tremendous  volley  by  platoons,  and  their  fire 
soon  became  general.     But  unfortunately  for 
them,  though  perfect  in  dnll  discipline,  and 
regular  movements  of  parade,  they  were  as 
grossly  unskilful  in  what  was  a  thousand  times 
more  imiportant,  a  knowjedge  of  their  wea- 
pons.    Their  aim  was  too  elevated,  and  the 
enemy  were  hidden  behind  their  works.  Some 
of  their  balls  however  took  effect,  and  a  few  of 
the  privates  fell  victims.     The  brave  Major 
Moore  was  mortally  wounded.     Major  Buck- 
minster  received  a  ball  through  the  shoulder 
and  was  crippled  for  life. 

To  add  new  horrors  to  the  scene,  vast  col- 
umns of  smoke  were  now  observed  over 
Charlestown,  and  passed  to  the  south  over 
the  American  lines.  General  Howe  on  his 
first  advance  had  sent  word  to  General  Bur- 
goyne  and  General  Clinton  on  Copps  Hill. 
that  his  left  Hank  was  annoyed  by  musketrj' 


sC:" 


BUNKER  HILL  BATTLE. 


239 


.  to  the 
re  their 
nearer 
•re  per- 
ih  artil- 
Detween 
I,  withirj 
nee,  and 
I  opened 
their  in- 
rular  and 
their  fire 
lately  for 
iline,  and 
T  were  as 
land  times 
their  wea- 
d,  and  the 
•kg.  Some 
,d  a  few  of 
ave  Major 
ajor  Buck- 
B  shoulder 


,  vast  col- 
rved  over 
south  over 
>we  on  ins 
Bneral  Bm- 
:;opp9  Hill, 


from  Charlestov^^n,  and  ordered  them  to  burn 
it  down.     A  carcass  was  fired,  but  fell  short 
near  tfie  feiTy  way ;  a  second  fell  in  the  street^ 
and   tfie    town   was    on   fire.      The    confla- 
gration was  completed   by  a  detachment  of 
men   who  landed  from  the  Somerset.      The 
whole  town  was  combustible.    The  flames  as- 
cended  to  heaven  on  the  lofty  spire  of  the 
church,  and  resembled  the  eruptions  of  a  vast 
volcano   in  solemn  grandeur  and  sublimity. 
The  advance  of  the  enemy  was  not  obscured 
by  the  smoke  from  Charlestown  ;  thej  were  in 
full  view  of   the    Americans.     Putnam  now^ 
with  the  assistance  of  Captain  Ford's  compa- 
ny, opened  his  artillery  upon  them.     He  had 
on  this  day  performed  the  service  cf  general, 
engineer  and  guide,  and  he  now  turned  can- 
nonier,  with  splendid  success,  and  to  the  high- 
est satisfaction  of  his  surrounding  countrymen. 
Cach   company  of  artillery  had  but   twelve 
cartridges,   and  these  were  soon  expended. 
He  pointed  the  cannon  himself,  the  balls  took 
effect  on  the  enemy,  and  one  case  of  canister 
made  a  lane  through  them.     As  in  Milton's 
battle, 

"  Foul  dissipation  followed  and  forced  rout." 

With  wonderful  courage,  however,  the  enemy 
dosed  his  ranks,  and  the  fire  became  general 
on  both  sides.  The  Americans  suifered  the 
enemy  to  approach  still  nearer  than  before; 


240 


BUNKER  HILL  BATTLE. 


men  and  officers  fell  in  promiscuous  heaps ; 
whole  front  ranks  of  them  were  swept  away. 

General  Ward  was  without  staff  ofi^.cers  to 
bear  his  commands,  excepting  one  aid  and  a 
secretary,  who  performed  the  duty.  During 
the  whole  day  these  were  mounted  and  on  full 
speed  between  Breed's  Hill  and  head  quarters. 
fjosB  and  neglect  of  orders  were  the  inevita* 
bio  consequence.  Colonel  Gardner's  regi- 
ment and  others  who  hsd  been  posted  between 
Cambridge  and  Charlestown,  to  wait  further 
orders,  were  overlooked.  The  battle  was 
raging,  and  no  orders  arrived.  The  colonel 
was  a  gentleman  of  rank,  had  been  a  member 
of  the  legislature,  and  commanded  a  regi'  / 
of  mHitia,  which,  marching  to  Lexingtc  ' 
join  in  the  engagement  there,  suddenly  open- 
ed on  the  British  artillery ;  being  entirely  void 
of  cover  they  dispersed.  His  gallant  soul  feh 
their  conduct  as  a  stigma  on  himself,  and  he 
resolved  on  the  earliest  opportunity  to  wipe 
the  spot  from  his  escutcheon.  A  glorious  oc- 
casion was  before  him,  and  he  panted  to  em- 
brace it— to  reap  the  honors  of  victory,  or 
tloath  and  lasting  fame.  The  latter  fate  was- 
decreed  him.  He  called  to  him  his  ofTiccis, 
and  oiforcd  to  lead  them  into  battle ;  most  of 
them  with  three  hundred  of  his  men  followed 
him.  Ho  led  them  over  Bunker  Hill,  viewed 
with  unconcern  the  battle  scene  on  the  hill  be- 
fore him,  terrible  as  Mount  Sinai,  and  with 


glorio 

enfjaff 

groin, 

his  me 

or  die, 

met  Cj 

lery,  a 

ensued 

vett's  s 

mere  yi 

ny  at  t\ 

would  J 

the  col( 

"  be  ala 

"  in  a  g 

"  his  du 

his  dyin 

that  his 

were  nc 

of  him. 

Thes. 
and  Ca 
lowed 
places  o 
nition  ar 
ment  se 
in  conte 

Thel 
derous  f 
ing  tbrtit 


BUNKER  HILL  BATTLE. 


241 


glorious  anticipations,  was  descending  to  the 
entjca^i^eiuent,  when  a  musket  hall  entered  his 
groin,  and  the  wound  proved  mortal.  He  gave 
his  men  his  last  solemn  injunction,  to  conquer 
or  die,  and  was  carried  on  the  field.  He  soon 
met  Captain  Trevett  advancing  with  his  artil- 
lery, and  an  interesting  and  heroic  interview 
ensued  between  the  colonel  and  Captain  Tre- 
vett's  second  Lieutenant  Gardner,  his  son,  a 
mere  youth  of  nineteen.  The  son  was  in  ago- 
ny at  the  desperate  situation  of  his  lather,  and 
would  have  attended  him  off'  the  ground.  But 
the  colonel  prohibited  this.  "  He  should  not 
"  be  alarmed  at  his  situation,  he  was  engaged 
"in  a  good  cause  and  must  march  on  and  do 
"  his  duty."  The  distracted  son  obeyed,  and 
his  dying  father  had  the  consolation  to  learn 
that  his  last  injunction  and  glorious  example 
were  not  lost ;  and  that  his  son  was  worthy 
of  him. 

♦ 
These  reinforcements,  with  Captain  Clark 
and  Captains  Chester  and  Coit,  who  soon  fol- 
lowed with  their  companies,  supplied  the 
places  of  those  .t'ho  had  expended  their  ammu- 
nition and  left  the  ground,  anr^  of  the  detach- 
ment sent  off  with  the  entrenching  tools,  who, 
in  contempt  of  their  orders,  never  returned. 

The  British  had  a  long  time  borne  the  mur- 
derous fire  of  the  enemy,  but  their  astonish- 
ing fortitude  and  daridg  efforts  were  useless 
21  * 


242 


BUNKER  HILL  BATTLE. 


agfiiost  the  insuperable  difficulties  they  encoun* 
tered.  Nearly  a  thousand  of  their  number 
had  fallen,  with  an  incredible  proportion  of 
the  bravest  officers.  The  distinguished  Col- 
onels Abercrornbie  and  Williams,  and  Major 
Spend  love,  had  purchased  fame  with  tlieir 
lives. 

The  ffallunt  Major  Small  was  left  standing 
alone,  every  one  shot  down  about  him.  The 
never  erring  muskets  were  levelled  at  him, 
and  a  soldier's  fate  was  his  inevitable  destiny, 
had  not  Putnam  at  the  instant  appeared. 
£ach  recognized  in  the  other  an  old  friend 
and  fellow  soldier;  the  tie  was  sacred;  Putnam 
threw  up  the  deadly  muskets  with  his  sword, 
and  arrested  his  fate.  He  begged  his  men  to 
spare  that  officer,  as  dear  to  him  as  a  brother. 
The  general's  humane  and  chivalrous  gene- 
rosity excited  in  them  new  admiration,  and  his 
friend  retired  unhurt. 

The  undaunted  Howe  atill  led  on  his  men 
in  the  hottest  of  the  battle.  His  friend  and 
volunteer  aid,  Gordon,  and  Captain  Addison,  a 
descendant  from  the  author  of  the  Spectator, 
were  slain,  and  almost  every  other  officer  of 
his  staff  or  near  him  was  shot.  Mortified  and 
indignant  at  so  Hijch  blood  wasted  in  vain, 
he  seemed  to  court  an  honorable  death  to 
hide  him  from  the  disgrace  of  a  second  defeat 
by  an  enemy  he  despised  as  peasants  and  re* 


* 


BUNKER  HILL  BATTLE. 


243 


bels.  His  life  seemed  charmed,  and  he  was 
compelled  to  follow  his  army,  who  agaia  re- 
treated and  left  their  enemy  to  taste,  a  second 
time,  the  joys  of  victory. 

The  exultation  of  the  Americans  was  glori- 
ous and  well  deserved,  but  it  was,  alas,  short 
lived.  They  had  leisure  to  realize  the  entire 
hopelessness  of  their  situation.  Their  an^mu- 
nition  was  expended,  and  they  were  as  desti- 
tute of  every  offensive  weapon  as  the  naked 
savages,  their  predecessors.  Prescott  found  a 
few  artillery  cartridges,  which  he  distributed 
to  his  men,  and  they  determined  to  show  a  re- 
solute front  to  the  enemy,  to  club  their  mus- 
kets, and  even  employ  the  stones  thrown  up 
with  the  parapet  against  them.  Their  only 
hope,  however,  was  from  a  want  of  fortitude 
in  the  enemy,  and  that  they  had  twice  this 
day  proved  was  slender  indeed. 

General  Howe  gave  his  men  orders  to  pre- 
pare again  to  advance.  Some  of  the  officers 
remonstrated,  that  it  would  be  mere  butchery 
to  lead  them  on  again,  but  the  generals,  and 
nearly  every  officer,  were  indignant  ** '  a  dis- 
tant suspicion  of  their  yielding  the  victory  to 
these  reoels,  an  undisciplined  rabble,  of  inferior 
numbers,  after  all  their  boasting,  and  after  they 
had  poured  out  every  epithet  of  contempt 
against  them.  To  conquer  or  die  was  their 
resolve. 


■■■T—.- 


244 


BUNKER  HILL  BATTLE. 


Bloody  experience  at  last  opened  their  eyes 
to  their  egregious  errors.  Their  overweening 
confidence  was  laid  aside,  and  a  calculated, 
deliberate  and  judicious  plan  of  attack  adopt- 
ed. The  overloaded  knapsacks  were  relin- 
quished ;  firing  with  musketry  was  prohibited, 
and  a  charge  with  the  bayonet  resorted  to. 
The  attack  was  to  be  more  concentrated; 
while  the  troops  at  the  rail  fence  were  amus- 
ed by  a  show  of  force,  the  grand  effort  was  to 
be  against  the  redoubt  and  breastwork,  and 
particularly  the  right  flank. 

The  accomplished  and  chivalrous  General 
Clinton  now  joined  and  brought  his  splendid 
talents  into  the  council,  and  his  distinguished 
gallantry  into  the  field.  Immediate  and  in- 
conceivable was  the  sensation  his  appearance 
produced  at  this  moment  of  deep  despondence. 
From  Copps  Hill  he  had  observed  with  shame 
and  indignatioi\  the  double  rout  of  his  country- 
men, and  particularly  that  the  two  distinguish- 
ed battalions,  the  marines  and  forty  seventh, 
were  staggered  and  wavering.  Without  wait- 
ing for  orders,  he  threw  himself  into  a  boat, 
passed  over,  and  soon  breathed  into  them  his 
own  exalted  heroism. 

<  I 

General  Howe  a  third  time  commanded  a 
forward  movement  to  scale  the  works  and 
rush  on  the  enemy  with  the  bayonet.  He  came 
to  the  left  to  lead  on  to  the  redoubt  himself. 


Clintoi 
on  the 
my.  • 
still  fai 
turn  i\ 
line.  I 
that  th 
key  of 

The 
possibh 
the  ene 
and  exl 
the  sea 
ley,  onl 
vanced 
arrived 

The 

and  ma 

pushed 

seventh 

side  oft! 

and  olh 

diers  an 

efl(:)rts 

of  manj 

and  the' 

urge  th< 

less  rose 

masses  c 

njovcd 


BUNKER  HILL  BATTLE. 


245 


Clinton  joined  General  Pigot  and  the  marines 
on  the  left  to  turn  the  right  flank  of  the  ene- 
my. The  artillery  were  ordered  to  advance 
still  farther  than  before  on  their  old  rout,  and 
turn  the  left  of  the  breastwork  to  rake  the 
line.  General  Howe  at  last  became  sensible 
that  this  was  the  most  vulnerable  point  and 
key  of  the  enemy's  position. 

The  Americans  made  every  preparation 
possible  to  repel  the  last  desperate  effort  of 
the  enemy.  Putnam  again  rode  to  the  rear, 
and  exhausted  every  art  and  effort  to  bring  on 
the  scattered  reinforcements.  Captain  Bay- 
ley,  only,  of  Colonel  Gerrish's  regiment,  ad- 
vanced to  the  limes,  and  Captain  Trevett  now 
arrived  at  the  rail  fence  with  his  pieces. 

The  enemy  stripped  off  their  knapsacks, 
and  many  of  them  their  coats ;  the  artillery 
pushed  on  by  the  road  on  the  north,  the  forty 
seventh  and  marines  near  the  road  on  the  south 
side  of  the  hill,  and  the  remains  of  the  royal  Irish 
and  other  regiments,  and  part  of  the  grena- 
diers and  light  infantry  in  front.  Their  past 
efforts  had  exhausted  the  strength  and  spirit 
of  many  of  the  men  who  lingered  in  the  rear, 
and  their  gallant  officers  were  compelled  to 
urge  them  on  with  thoir  swords.  Some  of  the 
les3  resolute  fired  their  pieces,  but  the  great 
masses  obeyed  their  orders,  and  with  firmness 
moved  on  to  the  charge.    They  arrived  under 


246 


BUNKER  HILL  BATTLE. 


the  fire  of  the  Americans,  who  improved  to 
advantage   their    last   opportunity  for    ven- 

feance.  Every  shot  took  effect.  The  gallant 
[owe  at  last  received  a  ball  in  the  foot,  where 
only  like  Achilles  he  seemed  to  be  vulnerable, 
but  continued  to  animate  his  men.       r 

A  few  only  of  the  Americans  had  a  charge 
of  ammunition  remaining.  They  had  sent  lor 
a  supply  in  vain ;  a  barrel  and  a  half  only  were 
in  the  magazine.  They  resorted  next  to  stones, 
but  these  served  only  to  betray  their  weak- 
ness, and  lent  new  energy  to  the  foe. 

The  artillery  advanced  to  the  open  space 
between  the  breastwork  and  rail  fence ;  this 
ground  was  defended  by  some  brave  Essex 
troops,  covered  only  by  scattered  trees.  With 
resolution  and  deadly  aim  they  poured  the 
most  destructive  vollies  on  the  enemy.  The 
cannon,  however,  turned  the  breastwork,  en- 
filaded the  line,  and  sent  their  balls  through 
the  open  gateway  or  sally  port,  directly  into 
the  redoubt,  under  cover  of  which  the  troops 
at  the  breastwork  were  compelled  to  retire. 

The  enemy  bravely  bore  the  deadly  fire, 
and  continually  closing  his  broken  ranks,  de- 
liberately advanced  on  every  side  of  the  re- 
doubt except  the  north.  They  were  now  un- 
der the  eastern  side  of  the  redoubt  and  cover- 
ed from  the  fire.     The  Americans  retired  to 


BUNKER  HILL  BATTLE. 


247 


the  side  opposite  to  take  them  as  they  rose. 
Lieutenant  Prescott,  a  nephew  of  the  colonel, 
received  a  ball  through  the  arm ;  it  hung  bro- 
ker ,nd  useless  by  his  side.  The  colonel  or- 
dered him  to  content  himself  with  encourag- 
ing his  men.  But  he  contrived  to  load  his 
piece,  and  was  passing  by  the  sally  port  to 
rest  against  the  enemy,  when  a  cannon  ball 
cut  him  to  pieces. 

Young  Richardson  of  the  royal  Irish,  was 
the  first  to  mount  the  works,  and  was  instant- 
ly shot  down  ;  the  front  rank  which  succeeded 
shared  the  same  fate.  Among  these  mounted 
the  gallant  Major  Pitcairn,  and  exultingly 
cried  "  the  day  is  ours,"  when  a  black  soldier 
named  Salem.,''^  shot  aim  through  and  he  fell. 
His  agonized  son  received  him  in  his  arms  and 
tenderly  bore  him  to  the  boats.  It  was  he 
who  caused  the  first  effusion  of  blood  at  Lex- 
ington. In  that  battle  his  horse  was  shot  un- 
der him,  while  he  was  separated  from  his 
troops ;  with  presence  of  mind  he  feigned  him- 
self slain ;  his  pistolsf  were  taken  from  his 
holsters,  and  he  was  left  for  dead,  when  he 
seized  the  opportunity  and  escaped. 

*  A  contribution  was  made  in  the  army  for  this  sol- 
dier, and  he  was  presented  to  Washington,  as  having 
performed  this  feat. 

t  Tliis  trophy  afterwards  belonged  to  General  Put- 
nam, and  yet  remains  in  his  family,  from  whom  we  have 
the  above  anecdote.  *  k^ 


-m 


248 


BUNKER  HILL  BATTLE. 


The  heroic  but  diminutive  Pigot  ran  up  the 
southeast  corner  of  the  redoubt,  assisted  bj  a 
tree  left  standing  there,  and  desperately  led 
on  his  men.  Troops  succeeded  troops  over 
the  parapet,  and  Prescott  exhausted  every  re- 
source to  repel  them,  even  with  the  buts  of 
his  guns. 

But  he  had  now  his  last  great  victory  to 
achieve,  to  which  all  his  past  toils,  dangers 
and  privations,  were  nothing.  He  had  twice 
conquered  the  enemy;  he  had  now,  a  more 
difficult  task,  to  conquer  himself,  to  bend  down 
his  lofty  soul,  and  turn  his  back  to  the  enemy. 
Perfectly  careless  of  his  own  life,  he  had  no 
right  to  trifle  with  the  lives  of  his  men.  It 
was  a  sacred  deposit  they  had  entrusted  to  his 
honor,  a  bond  which  he  never  forfeited.  In- 
stead of  an  useless  waste  of  life,  with  a ''  nil 
desperandum,"  he  quelled  his  revolting  spirit 
and  ordered  a  retreat. 

General  Ward  had  gratified  at  last  the  ar- 
dent wishes  of  the  Connecticut  troops  to  join 
their  beloved  general.  Captains  Chester, 
Clark  and  Coit  were  on  the  ground  with  their 
troops,  and  Major  Durkee's  impatience  had 
before  this  brought  him  mounted  to  the  field, 
to  join  his  old  commander  and  comrade  oi  for- 
mer wars.  Putnam's  imagination  had  already 
inscribed  the  victory  of  Bunker  Hill  on  his 
coat  of  arms,  when  a  dark  cloud  flew  across 


"  nil 


f 


BUNKER  HILL  BATTLE. 


249 


the  brilliant  prospect.      The  retreat  of  the 
right  wing  burst  upon  him. 

The  gallant  veteran  Gridley  now  received 
a  ball  through  the  leg,  and  was  carried  off. 
He  had  served  all  nigbt  at  the  entrenchments, 
and  had  all  day  assisted  in  defending  his  own 
works,  and  proving  their  excellence. 

Prescott's  troops  fought  their  way  through 
the  surrounding  enemy.  The  veteran  Captain 
Bancroft  was  charging  his  piece,  a  British 
soldier  leaped  from  the  parapet,  touching  him 
as  he  came  to  the  ground,  and  levelled  at  him; 
they  fired  together ;  the  captain  tore  him  to 
pieces  and  escaped  unhurt.  One  of  the  men 
without  ammunition  perceived  Lieuteiant 
Prescott's  loaded  musket  by  its  deceased  mas- 
ter ;  a  Briton  obstructed  his  passage ;  seizing 
the  loaded  musket  he  brought  his  antagonist 
to  the  ground. 

Colonel  Bridge,  who  came  with  the  first  de- 
tachment, was  one  of  the  last  to  retreat,  and 
was  twice  severely  wounded,  in  the  head  and 
neck.  His  lieutenant  colonel,  the  veteran 
Parker,  who  had  escaped  through  the  whole 
war  of  1756,  in  which  he  had  signalized  him- 
self, and  especially  at  the  desperate  siege  of 
Fort  Frontinac,  received  a  ball  in  the  thigh, 
and  was  leift  mortally  wounded  in  the  re- 
doubt. 

22 


^k 


250 


BUNKER   HILL   BATTLE. 


The  chivalrous  Warren  lingered  to  the  last. 
His  exalted  spirit  disdained  as  a  disgrace  a 
retreat  the  most  inevitable.  He  animated  the 
men  to  the  most  desperate  daring;  and  when 
hope  itself  had  fled,  he  still  disdained  to  fly. 
With  sullen  reluctance  he  followed  his  coun- 
trymen, and  seemed  to  court  that  ball  from 
the  enemy,  which  a  few  yards  from  the  re- 
doubt, passed  through  his  head,  and  secured 
to  him  the  eternal  gratitude  of  his  country- 
meih  and  immortal  fame  throughout  the  world. 

Small  here  repaid  the  debt  of  gratitude  he 
owed  the  enemy.  He  recognized  Warren, 
his  intimate  friend,  as  he  was  leaving  the  re- 
doubt, called  to  him  for  God's  sake  to  stand 
and  save  his  life ;  he  turned  and  seemed  to 
recognize  him,  but  kept  on.  Small  command- 
ed the  meiknot  to  fire  at  him;  he  threw  up 
the  muskets  with  his  sword^  but  in  vain,  the 
fatal  ball  had  sped. 

The  enemy  came  on,  exhausted  by  their 
desperate  efforts,  under  &  blazing  sun,  and 
broKen  by  the  well  directed  fire.  They  had 
not  force  to  employ  the  bayonet,  and  were  too 
much  broken  and  minglecl  with  the  enemy  to 
fire  their  pieces.  Their  right  and  left  wmgs 
were  indeed  facing  ^ach  other,  with  the  Amer- 
icans between ;  their  fire  would  have  cut  down 
both  friend  and  foe.  While  they  formed  them- 
selves anew,  the  Americans  collected,  and 


made 
put  Sf 
self  b( 

IttJ,  w 

countr 
of  see 
ren  fal 
new  th 
HiiJ,  a 
unassa 
to  rest 
Smith 
his  con 
and  ass 

The 
rods  be 
pour  in 
troyed 
the  da^ 
shot  ani 
ment,  w 
and  Ca] 
carried 


*  Depc 
sent,  and 
is  confim 
cer  of  the 
General  F 
i^elf  and  fc 


BUNKER   HILL   BATTLE. 


251 


their 

and 

r  had 

•e  too 

y  *o 
wings 

^mer- 

down 

them- 

,  and 


made  a  brave  and  orderly  retreat.  Putnam^ 
put  spurs  to  his  foaming  horse  and  threw  him^ 
self  between  the  retreating  force  and  the  ene- 
my,  who  were  but  twelve  rods  from  him  ;"*  hii 
countrymen  were  in  momentary  expectation 
of  seeing  this  compeer  of  the  immortal  War- 
ren fall.  He  entreated  them  to  rally  and  re- 
new the  fight,  to  finish  his  works  on  Bunker 
Hill,  and  again  give  the  enemy  battle  on  that 
unassailable  position,  and  ph^dged  his  honor 
to  restore  to  them  an  easy  victory.  Captain 
Smith  of  General  Ward's  regiment  came  with 
his  company  to  reinforce,  joined  in  the  retreat) 
and  assisted  to  keep  the  vi^nemy  at  bay. 

The  Americans  had  retreated  aboi  *  twenty 
rods  before  the  enemy  had  time  to  rally  and 
pour  in  a  destructive  nre  on  them,  which  des- 
troyed more  than  they  had  lost  before  during 
the  day.  Colonel  rrescott's  adjutant  was 
shot  and  crippled,  Captain  Dow,  of  his  regi- 
ment, was  also  crippled  by  a  wound  in  the  leg, 
and  Captain  Bancroft  had  a  part  of  his  hand 
carried  off. 


*  Deposition  of  Lyman,  then  a  lieutenant,  and  pre- 
sent, and  Miner,  a  private  in  the  same  company.  Thig 
is  confirmed  too  by  the  testimony  of  a  distinguished  offi- 
cer of  the  revolution,  yet  living,  M'ho  had  served  with 
General  Putnam  in  the  French  war,  and  was  present  him- 
self and  badly  wounded. 


252 


BUNKER   HILL   BATTLE. 


I? 


The  American  left  wing  were  openly  con- 
gratulating themselves  on  their  victory,  when 
their  flank  was  opened  by  the  retreat  of  the 
right.  The  enemy  pressed  on  them,  and  they 
were  in  their  turn  compelled  to  retire.  ^  Put- 
nam covered  their  retreat  with  his  Connecti- 
cut troops,  and  dared  the  utmost  fury  of  the 
enemy,  in  the  rear  of  the  whole.  These  pur- 
sued with  little  ardor,  but  poured  in  tneir 
thundering  vol  lies,  and  showers  of  balls  fell 
like  hail  around  the  general.** 

He  addressed  himself  to  every  passion  of 
the  troops,  to  persuade  them  to  rally,  to  throw 
up  his  works  on  Bunker  Hill,  and  make  a  stand, 
and,  as  the  last  resort,  threatened  them  with 
the  eternal  disgrace  of  deserting  their  general. 
He  took  his  stand  near  a  field  piece,  and  seem- 
ed resolved  to  brave  the  foe  alone.  His  troops, 
however,  felt  it  impossible  to  withstand  the 
overwhelming  force  of  the  British  bayonets ; 
they  left  him.  One  sergeant  only  dared  to 
stand  by  his  general  to  the  last ;  he  was  shot 
down,  and  ttie  enemy's  bayonets  were  just 
upon  the  general,  before  he  retired. 


*  This  fact  we  have  from  a  respectable  friend,  who 
was  present  find  yet  lives,  Pliilip  Johnson,  Esq.  of  New- 
buryport.  His  Iionor  and  veracity  is  surpassed  by  no 
man's.  See  also  deposition  of  Captain  Hills,  thon  en^ 
sign  to  Knowlton^  .  .  ^ 


BUNKER  HILL  BATTLE. 


■•„  p 


253 


General  Pomeroj  continued  to  animate  the 
men,  and  cut  down  the  enemy  himself,  till  a 
well  hove  ball  shattered  his  musket.  The  re- 
treat having  commenced,  he  disdained  to  turn 
his  back;  but  with  backward  step  and  lower- 
ing front  shouldered  the  fragments  of  his  piece, 
and  carried  off  his  men,  encouraging  them  to 
pour  in  their  formidable  fire  on  the  enemy. 

Captain  Trevett,  like  Callender,  was  de^ 
sertea  by  his  men.  His  lieutenants,  Swasey 
and  Gardner,  stood  by  him,  with  but  sevens 
others,  one  of  whom  was  Moses  Porter,  al- 
ready a  promising  artillerist.  He  persuaded 
about  thirty  of  the  infantry  to  join  in  saving 
one  of  his  pieces,  the  other  he  was  compelled, 
to  abandon.  A  British  company  noticed  the 
piece,  and  determined  to  seize  the  prey ;  they 
pursued,  on  the  top  of  Bunker  Hill  were  with- 
m  thirty  yards  of  them,  levelled  their  muskets 
and  fired.  The  captain  gave  up  all  for  lost, 
when  but  one  dropped  dead,  and  another 
wounded,  the  remainder  rapidly  descended^ 
the  hill,  and  carried  off  with  honor  the  only 
piece  saved  out  of  six  taken  to  the  field.  Gen- 
eral Putnam  ordered  it  to  Cambridge. 

The  Charlestown  company  of  Colonel 
Gardner^s  regiment  was  the  last  to  retreat. 
They  were  nehting  at  their  own  doors,  on 
their  own  natal  soil.  They  were  on  the  ex- 
treme left,  covered  by  some  loose  stones 
22* 


% 


"f^iv* 


254 


BUNKER   HILL   BATTLE. 


thrown  up  on  the  shore  of  Mystic  River,  dur- 
injj  the  daj,  bj  order  of  Colonel  Stark.  At 
this  most  important  pass  into  the  country^ 
against  which  the  enemy  made  their  most  des- 
perate efforts,  like  Leonidas'  band  they  had 
taken  post,  and  like  them  they  defended  it; 
till  the  enemy  had  discovered  another. 

One  piece  of  cannon  at  the  neck  opened  on 
the  enemy  and  covered  the  retreat.  But  these 
were  in  no  condition,  and  discovered  no  incli- 
nation to  renew  the  engagement,  or  pursue 
their  advantage,  except  by  a  formidable  can- 
nonade from  their  field  pieces.  They  remain- 
ed on  Bunker  Hill,  and  lay  on  their  arms  dur- 
ing the  night.  The  same  was  done  on  Win- 
ter Hill  by  the  New  Hampshire  troops,  and 
by  the  rest  of  the  Americans  on  Prospect  Hill, 
directly  in  face  of  the  enemy. 


Major  Brooks  was  retained  at  Cambridge 
by  General  Ward,  till  the  last  reinforcements 
were  sent  to  Charlestown,  when  he  marched 
with  the  two  remaining  companies  of  his  regi- 
ment, and  met  at  the  neck  the  Americans  re- 
treating. 

Benjamin  Thompson,  better  known  as 
Count  Uumford,  attended  him  as  a  volunteer. 
He  was  assisting  the  army  by  his  mathemati- 
cal learning,  his  estimates  and  surveys,  but 
had  solicited  an  appointmck>t  in  vain,  and  had 


4: 


^ 


BUNKER   HILL   BATTLE. 


255 


as 
eer. 
mti- 
but 
had 


made  great  but  fruitless  interest  for  the  com- 
mission in  the  artillery  which  was  bestowed 
on  Major  Gridley.  For  this  gross  injustice 
done  to  his  distinguished  merit,  his  country 
suffered  well  deserved  punishrr.ent  in  the  mis- 
conduct of  his  rival,  and  by  the  final  loss  of 
his  services,  except  what  they  received,  in 
common  with  all  mankind,  from  his  splendid 

Philosophical    discoveries,   his    glorious    and 
eneficent  political  labors. 

McClary,  as  attentive  to  the  wants  of  his 
men  as  desperate  in  fighting  them,  galloped 
to  Medford  and  returned  with  dressings  for 
the  wounded.  He  ordered  Captain  Dearborn 
to  advance  toward  the  neck  with  his  compa- 
ny, whilst  he  crossed  over  to  reconnoitre  the 
enemy.  He  was  returning  with  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Robinson  and  others,  and  boasting 
that  the  shot  commissioned  to  kill  him  was 
not  yet  cast,  when  a  cannon  ball  from  the 
Glasgow  tore  him  to  pieces.  No  smaller 
weapon  seemed  worthy  to  destroy  the  gigan- 
tic hero. 

The  veteran  Gridley  entered  his  sulky  at 
Bunker  Hill  to  be  carried  off.  The  enemy 
perceived  the  prey,  shot  his  horse  and  riddled 
the  sulky  with  balls;  but  their  rage  was  im- 
potent; meeting  some  obstruction  in  the  road,, 
ho  had  left  the  carriage  a  moment  betbre. 


•.V 


2i)6 


BUNKER   HILL   BATTLE. 


Prescott  repaired  to  Cambridge,  furious  as 
a  lion  driven  from  his  lair,  foaming  with  in- 
dignation at  the  want  of  support  when  victory 
was  in  his  grasp, — a  victor)  dearly  purchased 
with  the  precious  blood  of  his  soldiers,  family 
and  friends.  He  demanded  but  two  fresh  re- 
f^'iments  of  General  Ward,  and  pledged  his 
life  with  them  to  drive  the  enemy  to  his  boats. 
He  had  not  yet  done  enough  to  satisfy  him- 
self, though  he  had  done  enough  to  satisfy  his 
country.  He  had  not  indeed  secured  final 
victory,  but  he  had  secured  a  glorious  immor- 
tality. 

Two  young  men  in  Boston  were  employed 
to  take  the  wounded  from  the  boats  to  the 
hospitals.  A  young  lieutenant,  shot  through 
the  body,  was  carried  by  them  in  a  chair  to 
his  encamptnent.  Passing  the  streets,  pale 
and  faint  with  loss  of  blood,  he  attracted  the 
humane  and  generous  compassion  shown  by 
the  inhabitants  to  the  wounded  ;  enmity  for- 
gotten, they  were  all  at  their  doors  with  re- 
freshing dnnk  for  them. 

At  the  encampment  they  met  Captain  Pit- 
cairn,  covered  with  blood.  Struck  with  the 
appearance,  the  lieutenant  inquired  of  him  the 
cause,  but  his  grief  was  too  big  for  utterance, 
**  vox  faucibus  hffisit."  A  sergeant  informed 
him,  the   captain's  father  was   shot   at  the 


,^..; -,'.,-:..:..--/ 


^ 


BUNKGR  HILL  BATTLE. 


257 


breastwork,  and  the  captain  carried  him  to 
the  boat,  where  he  died  in  his  arms. 

The  hospital  was  established  in  a  different 
place,  to  wnich  they  repaired,  and  witnessed 
a  scene  to  melt  the  most  obdurate  enemy. 
The  hospital  and  even  the  yard  was  overload- 
ed with  wounded,  praying  in  vain  for  the  sur- 
geons to  arrest  the  current  of  life,  fast  ebbing 
from  their  woufkIs,  but  which,  from  the 
numbers,  it  was  impossible  to  dress. 

toud  and  melancholy  wailings  for  the  dead, 
from  widows  of  the  common  soldiers,  were 
heard  in  every  street,  and  struck  on  the  heart 
of  the  passenger. 

The  number  of  the  Americans  during  the 
battle  was  fluctuating,  but  may  be  fairly  es- 
timated at  little  more  than  two  thousand  men. 
Their  loss  was  one  hundred  and  fifteen  killed, 
three  hundred  and  five  wounded,  and  thirty 
raptured,  in  all  four  hundred  and  fifty.*  Thcj 
following  is  the  loss  of  the  respective  corps  : 


RegimcntR. 

Colonels  Stark  and  Reed 
Colonel  Scanimons 

Gerrish 

Whitcomb 

Brewei: 


Killtd. 

Wo-..nt(ed. 

15 

45 

0 

8 

s 

S 

5 

8 

7 

11 

*  General  Ward's  orderly  book. 


•.#-.. 


■■■iwr:' 


m- 


-^. 


258 


BUNKER  HILL  BATTLBT. 


Regiments. 
Colonel  Little  ,    ' 

'  Gardner 

Gridley 

General  Putnam's  regiment,  T 
Captain  Coit  and  > 

Captain  Chester's  coirspanies  j, 
General  Ward 
Colonel  Bridge 
— —  Prescott 

Frye 

• IS  ixon 

Woodbridge 

Doulitlle 


Killed. 
7 
6 
0 

15 

1 

!6 

14 

15 

3 

1 

0 


'\-??w;'^'") 


"Wounded'. 
23 
7 
4 

30 

6 
29 
28 
31 
10 
5 
9 


Frovincial  JSTewspapcr,  July  15, 1775. 

The  British  loss  was  one  thousand  and  fifty 
four,  including  eighty  nine  officers  ;  of  these 
two  hundred  and  twenty  six,  were  killed,  in^- 
cludiftg  nineteen  officers,  and  eight  hundred 
ttigfd  twenty  eight  wounded,  seventy  of  whom 
were  officers.  The  fifth  regiment  had  one 
officer  killed,  the  foJirth  one,  twenty  second 
one,  thirty  fifth  two,  thirty  eighth  one,  forty 
third  one,  forty  seventh  three,  fifty  second  five, 
four  of  them  were  the  highest  officers  of  the 
regiment,  and  the  ily  pain  they  expressed 
from  their  wounds,  was  from  having  received 
them  through  the  uai  \*  The  sixty  third  had 
one  killed,  sixty  fifth  one,  sixty  seventh  one, 
marines  six,  and  General  Howe^s  aid  de  camp. 
The  fourth  regiment  had  four  wounded,  fifth 
seven,  tenth  five,  fourteenth  one,  eighteenth 
one,  twenty  third  four,  thirty  fifth  three,  thir- 
ty eighth  nine,  forty  third  thiee,  forty  seventh 


h^i':'^-  ■ 


■fllv*'i 


■^VS'if  ""''"■:^fU 


...,,,,^-,.-.„_^,^,,   .,;...,.,,,.,, 


BUNKER  HILL  BATTLE. 


259 


five,  fifty  second  five,  fifty  ninth  one,  sixty 
third  two,  sixty  fifth  fQur,  marines  twelve, 
Page,  of  the  engineers,  and  Jardin,  secretary 
to  General  Howe.  All  the  grenadiers  of  one 
company  were  shot  storming  the  works  ex- 
cepting five,  and  these  were  led  on  by  the 
oldest  soldier.  The  grenadiers  of  the  Welsh 
fusiliers  were  reduced  to  e»ght,  and  twenty 
two  out  of  thirty  nine  grenadiers  of  the  fifty 
second  regiment  were  killed.* 

In  this  battle  the  British  gained  a  nominal 
victory,  but  the  Americans  the  only  prize  con- 
tended ^or ;  they  destroyed  entirely  the  phy- 
sical and  moral  force  of  the  British  army,  im- 
prisoned them  within  their  narrow  lines,  and 
prevented  their  excursions.  The  enemy  nev- 
er after  recovered  their  enterprise  and  confi- 
dence in  America,  and  by  this  single  battle 
the  final  success  of  the  American  revolution 
was  secured. 


'*  Gentlemen's  Magazine  for  1775,  and  Essex  Gazette^ 
13  July.  1775. 


>* 


^v 


l!^: 


SUPP 


i 


.r'-il; 


'^'' 
-./. 


m 


Gbnej 

Corjgres 
ral  and  i 
ariny.  C 
at  Caml 
the  riff  hi 
dispositk 
sanctions 
der  in  c 
resigned 
notwithsi 
at  the  ea 
eral  Was 
near  Bos 
He  was  i 
der  the  o 
tution,  an 


The  li; 
tailed  by 


ii^v 


'W 


if- 


SUPPLEMENTARY   CHAPTEK* 


General  Ward  received  from  the  General 
Congress  the  appointment  of  first  mskjor  geoe^l 
ral  and  second  in  command  of  the  American 
army.  On  the  arrival  of  General  Washington 
at  Cambridge,  he  assumed  the  comiuand  of^ 
the  right  wmg  at  Roxburj,  and  his  general 
disposition  of  the  troops  about  Boston  was 
sanctioned  bj  the  approbation  of  the  comman* 
der  in  chief.*  From  extreme  ill  health,  *ie 
resigned  his  commission  in  April,  1776;  but 
notwithstanding  his  resignation  was  accepted, 
at  the  earnest  request  of  Congress  and  Gen- 
eral Washington,  he  continued  in  command, 
near  Boston,  until  the  20th  of  March,  1777. 
He  was  afterward  a  member  of  Congress  un-  ' 
der  the  old  confederation  and  present  consti- 
tution, and  died  in  1*800,  aged  seventy  three. 


,  -i       'i'.i-.  it        i 


The  life  of  General  Putnam  has  been  de- 


s      \  r        -..     W^  <.. 


tailed  by  abler  hands. 

>,    *  Marshall,  vol.  ^  p.  242.     ,       /   ! 
23 


i 


■j^. 


T'T^:  -■  --;','::•    ■■r-\'^---r-r^i'*r-'j:'p,^y\  ^^-^'i"^  .2''^:.-T'7;'  ■"■/:-"f^' '.^.'J^  - 


262 


BUNKER  HILL  BATTLE. 


General  Thomas  was  appointed  first  brig- 
adier general  under  the  United  States,  in 
1776  was  appointed  major  general,  and  on  the 
death  of  Montgomery  repaired  to  Canada  to 
command  the  American  forces  before  Quebec 
Their  situation  was  nearly  desperate  ;  but  he 
was  too  adventurous  to  relinquish  the  enter* 
prise  withoiit  one  attempt  to  secure  the  fa- 
vors of  fortune.  He  endeavoured  to  burn 
the  enemy's  naval  force  before  the  city  by  a 
fire  ship,  mtending  to  attack  the  place  during 
the  conflagration ;  but  the  fire  ship  miscarried, 
and  the  genera)  was  compelled  to  order  a  re- 
treat, during  which  he  died  of  the  small  pox 
at  Chamblee. 

)  :         ■   ■-.  ■  '  ••      ■' .  :•.  '  , 

^  General  Pomeroy  expressed  his  strong 
fjense  o£  the  blindness  of  fortune,  that,  of  the 
two  volunteer  generals  in  the  battle,  Warren, 
the  young  and  chivalrous  soldier,  the  eloquent 
and  enligntened  legislator,  should  fall,  and  he 
escape,  old  and  useless,  unhurt.  From  age 
he  declined  the  honorable  appointment  of 
brigadier  general  of  the  United  States  army, 
and  retired  from  service.  But,  like  the  vete- 
ran war  horse,  when  the  echoes  of  his  majestic 
Connecticut  rang  with  the  clarion  of  battle, 
he  spurned  the  peaceful  retreat  whicii  his 
long  life  and  long  services  demanded.  He 
preferred  even  a  regiment  to  inaction,  and  as 
a  colonel  marched  to  join  the  kindred  spirits 
who  composed  our  army  in  the  Jerseys.     His 


exposi 
fatal  i 
countr 
and  pa 

Wh 
well  b( 
ton  wii 
and  ba 
solicite 
desperi 
at  an  e 
favors 
arreste 

The 
United 
ington 
retreat 
able  to 
proved 
Hill,  k 
cd  to  t 
lion, 
thanks 

In  1 
ed  Gen 
victory 
whole  i 


■•Tyr- T'-  '«•■■;- 


BUNKER   HILL    BATTLE.  26'3 

exposures  produced  a  pleurisy,  which  proved 
fatal  at  Peckskiil  in  New  lork,  where  his 
country  owes  him  a  monument,  and  hraverj 
and  patriotism  perennial  fame.  -'^s 

■':.'/..  *   ;•       «■,■    !';••■■  Sr?   '.     ■  !■       "^  ->*■  .      ■  '     ■:    ';■■      's      '  --"■"■.' 

When  Putnam  was  ordered  on  what  may 
well  be  stjled  a  forlorn  hope,  to  land  at  Bos- 
ton with  a  detachment,  iu  face  of  the  army 
and  batteries  of  the  enemy.  Colonel  Prescott 
solicited  of  him  the  honor  of  participating  the 
desperate  undertaking.  But  heaven  frowned 
at  an  excess  of  presumption  which  her  past 
favors  had  encouraged  |  a  violent  hurricane 
arrested  the  enterprise. 


i-*i.-r 


?-^' 


The  colonel  continued  in  the  service  of  the 
United  States,  accompanied  General  Wash- 
ington to  New  York,  and  on  the  disastrous 
retreat  through  the  Jerseys,  he  alone  was 
able  to  keep  his  men  in  the  ranks.  They 
proved  themselves  worthy  the  hero  of  Bunker 
Hill,  kept  the  enemy  in  respect,  were  exhibit- 
ed to  the  anay  as  an  example  worthy  imita- 
tion, and  the  colonel  received  the  cordial 
thanks  of  Washington  in  general  orders. 

In  1777  he,  with  a  corps  of  volunteers,  join^ 
ed  General  Gates,  and  served  with  him  till 
victory  crowned  our  arms,  and  Burgoyne's 
whole  army  was  the  trophy.  c? 


♦ 


fe/'i 


^^,.-..,._-l^-,^.^,,, 


'    ) 


264 


BUNKim  HILL  BATTLE. 


When  peace  ensued,  he  became  a  member 
of  the  legislature,  anc  >n  ^787  distingmshcd 
himself  as  a  magistrate  as  he  had  in  1775  as  a 
soldier.  From  the  miseries  and  poverty 
\ivhich  succeeded  the  war,  manv  of  the  suffer- 
ers  were  driven  to  oppose  the  coarse  o.f  legal 
authority.  The  enlightened  patriot  employed 
his  potent  influence  to  stay  the  tempestuous 
waves  of  insurrection.  He  collected  his 
friends  and  proceeded  to  Concord  armed  to 
protect  the  court  in  session  there  against  the 
conspirators.  He  lived  to  advanced  age,  and 
we  are  happy  to  add  he  was  a  christian,  ^  ^^^    . 

The  veteran  Colonel  Joseph  Frye,*  who 
had  served  in  the  war  of  1756,  was  at  the 
siege  of  Louisbourg,  and  taken  prisoner  in 
Fort  William  Henry,  immediately  after  the 
battle  the  21st  June,  was  appointed  major 
general  by  the  Provincial  Congress.  He  serv« 
ed  some  time  in  the  revolutionary  war^  and 
lived  to  a  very  advanced  age,  at  Fryeburghj 
which  received  its  name  from  his  family. 

Colonel  Gardner  lived  a  few  days  after  the 
battle,  and  on  being  asked  if  he  was  well 
enough  to  see  his  son,  ^^  yes,''  answered  the 
hero,  '^  if  he  has  done  his  duty."  Being  in- 
formed that  he  had  distinguished  himself,  he 


*  Brother  of  Colonel  James  Frye* 


ir  ■  tt  .■  '-•*:.'■:  '  ^7  ■■;•%'   I ';  ■■.■=■"  }    -->,.•*     ■  ''-''   'V'-^  i"^"^  " 


i^- 


r  the 
well 
the 


BUNKER  HILL  BATTLE. 


265 


ftaw  him,  and  died  with  the  elorious  coDSola* 
tion  of  leaving  the  invaluable  legacy  of  his 
own  fame  and  his  country's  gratitude  to  a  son 
worthy  to  support  the  honors  of  his  name. 


■::\'^" 


The  life  of  Major  Brooks  since  the  battle  of 
Bunker  Hill  has  been  far  too  distinguished  in 
the  military  and  political  history  of  America 
to  be  noticed  satisfactorily  in  a  supplement. 
Some  biographer  may  hereafter  confer  on  the 
public,  a  donation  worthy  their  gratitude,  a  dis- 
tinct account  of  this  hero  and  statesman.  But 
this  cannot  be  anticipated  till  the  last  enemy 
of  man  has  overcome  the  amiable  modesty,  for 
which  be  is  equally  distinguished  as  for  all  his 
higher  excellencies,  and  the  requisite  informa- 
tion be  obtained  irom  his  papers  which  has 
often  been  solicited  in  vain  from  himself. 

When  General  Washington  arrived  at 
Cambridge  his  regiment  was  distinguished  for 
the  superior  disci plitie  he  had  introduced,  and 
General  Gates  pronounced  him  one  of  the 
first  disciplinarians  in  service.  He  was  ap- 
pointed 6rst  inspector  of  the  army  under  the 
Baron  Steuben,  and  afterwards  adjutant  gene- 
ral for  the  army  on  the  North  RiViCr. 

He  was  distinguished  in  nearly  all  the  im- 
portant battles  of  the  revolution.  He  was  in 
the  battle  on  Long  Island  with  the  reinforce- 
ment, and  in  that  of  White  Plains.    History 

23  *        .  ..'  * 


.«> 


^ 


I 


266 


BUNKER  HILL  BATTLE* 


has  recorded  him  among  the  most  distinguish- 
ed commanders  of  the  army  which  achieved 
the  conquest  of  Burgoyne,  and  he  was  in  the 
battle  of  Monmouth  as  adjutant  general. 

From  their  earliest  acquaintance  he  was  a 
favorite  of  Washington,  enjoying  his  uniform 
friendship,  and  was  honorably  distinguished, 
by  his  selecting  him,  among  the  seven  generals 
at  his  choice,  to  serve  with  him  in  1798. 

During  the  last  war  he  had  the  superintend- 
ance  of  the  militia  of  Massachusetts,  directed 
the  forces  with  admirable  skill,  and  secured 
the  country  from  inroads  of  the  enemy. 

For  some  years  he  has  been  elected  gover- 
nor and  commander  in  chief  of  the  Common- 
wealth of  Massachusetts,  by  the  voice  of  the 
people,  to  the  universal  satisfaction  of  all  par- 
ties. Over  the  liberties  and  free  constitutions 
he  established  as  a  warrior,  he  now  presides 
as  a  legislator  with  distinguished  ability. 

The  brave  Knowlton,  from  the  first  mo- 
ment of  the  battle  to  the  latest  period  of  the  re- 
treat, showed  himself  worthy  the  distinguish- 
ed honor  of  being  selected  as  the  first  among 
the  Connecticut  captains. 

He  afterwards  received  the  commission  of 
lieutenant  colonel,  and  at  the  battle  of  Harlem 


■  *"1.. 


V' 


BUNKER  HILL  BATTLE. 


267 


Heights,  was  sent  by  Washington  to  get  into 
the  enemy's  rear  ;  a  bloody  action  ensued ; 
Knowlton  and  his  men  fought  the  whole  force 
of  the  enemy,  of  vastly  superior  numbers,  be- 
fore the  Americans  could  attack  in  iront,  and 
got  the  better  of  them.  He  restored  by  tiiis 
gallant  affair  a  glorious  moral  force  to  the  ar- 
my nearly  extinguished  by  disasters;  but  it 
was  at  the  expense  cf  many  brave  men  in  the 
unequal  contest ;  his  assistant  officer,  Major 
Latch,  was  slain,  with  three  balls  through  him^ 
and  he  himself  reaped  immortal  honor  and  im- 
mortal life  together. 

Washington  paid  due  honors  to  his  memory 
in  general  orders,  and  declared,  "  he  had  died 
"  a  glorious  death,  which  every  soldier  ought 
"  to  wish  tor,  and  would  have  been  an  honor 
"  to  any  country  on  earth." 

The  same  indignation  felt  by  Colonel  Pres- 
cott,  at  the  loss  of  the  battle,  was  general  in  the 
army,  and  throughout  the  country  ;  a  scruti- 
ny, most  severe  and  unrelentmg,  was  instituted 
into  (he  conduct  of  every  one,  to  bring  con-» 
dign  punishment  on  those  whose  misconduct 
had  caused  the  final  issue.  Even  Colonel 
Bridge,  notwithstanding  the  severity  of  his  la- 
bors, and  the  dangerous  and  honorabk:  wounds 
he  received,  had  to  pass  the  ordeal  of  a  court 
martial.  .        i 


^OQ 


BUNKER  HILL  BATtLE. 


Notwithstanding  this  inquisitorial  research^ 
we  arc  iiappy  to  add,  out  of  near  three  thou- 
sand, who,  at  different  stages  of  the  battle^ 
must  have  been  engaged  in  it,  and  most  of 
th^m  for  the  first  time,  four  onlj  v/ere  discov- 
ered guilty  of  misconduct.  Of  these,  Major 
Gridiey  was  tried  for  neglect  of  duty.  Briga- 
dier General  Green  being  president  of  the 
court,  which  "  find  him  guilty  of  breach  of 
"  orders,  and  therefore  dismiss  him  from  the 
"  Massachusetts  service;  but  on  account  of  his 
"  inexperience  and  youth,  and  the  great  confu- 
•*  flion  which  attended  that  day's  transaction  in 
"  general,  they  do  not  consider  him  incapable 
"  of  a  Continental  commission,  should  the  gen- 
*'eral  oflicers  recommend  him  to  his  Excel- 
**  lency." 

Colonel  Mansfield  was  obviously  guilty  of 
an  error  only  arising  from  inexperience.  Two 
only  were  found  guilty  of  cowardice ;  of  these 
Colonel  Gerrish  was  certainly  guilty  of  a  want 
of  military  ardor  and  activity,  but  this  was  a 
constitutional  defect.  He  was  not  accused  be- 
fore the  committee  of  Congress  by  General 
Putnam,  and,  in  the  opinion  of  the  very  re- 
npcclable  judge  advocate  who  tried  him,  and 
who  yet  lives,  he  was  far  too  harshly  treated. 

The  only  officer  apparently  guilty  of  cow- 
ardice, Captain  Callender,  is  a  glorious  in- 
stance of  wic  buoyancy  of  reel  Ne  »v  England 


BUNKER  HILL  BATTLE. 


269 


heroism,  and  the  redeeming  efficacy  of  a  pure 
conscience,  a  mind  conscious  of  rectitude. 
The  furious  denunciation  of  Putnam,  the  con- 
demnation of  the  court,  and  thundering  pro- 
scription of  Washington,  would  have  crushed 
any  one  forever,  who  was  armed  with  a  pano- 
ply less  divine.  '  , 

A  committee  of  Congress  was  appointed  to 
inquire  into  the  truth  of  a  report,  that  some 
officers  of  the  army  had  been  guilty  of  mis- 
conduct ;  they  report,  that  they  had  made  in- 
quiry of  General  rutnani  and  other  officers, 
who  were  in  the  hottest  of  the  battle,  and  that 
the  general  charged  Captain  Callender  and 
another  artillery  officer,  with  infamous  cow- 
ardice, one  of  the  principal  causes  of  the  de- 
feat, and  informed  them  that  he  would  quit 
the  service  if  these  officers  were  not  made  an 
example  of,  and  that  one  of  them  ought  to  be 
shot.  The  court  martial  condemned  Captain 
Callender,  and  General  Washington  approved 
the  judgment,  *^  aot  only  from  the  particular 
"  guilt  of  Captam  Callender,  but  the  fatal 
"consequence  of  such  a  conduct  to  the  army, 
"  and  to  the  rause  of  America  in  general." 

Notwithstanding  this,  our  horo  resolved  to 
compel  the  world  to  acknowledge,  by  his  fu- 
ture conduct,  that  his  pa^t  had  been  n>istaken. 
He  continued  with  his  corps  a?  a  volunteer, 
and  desperately  exposed  hiriiijclf  in  every  ac- 


! 


r 


•'|: 


270 


BUKKER   HILL   BATTLE. 


tion.    The  brave  and  beneficent  General  Knox^ 
extended  to  him  his  friendship. 

At  the  battle  on  Long  Island,  the  capiaiii 
and  lieutenant  of  the  corapany  of  artillery, 
with  which  he  served,  were  &hot;  he  assumed 
the  command,  and  fought  the  pieces  to  the 
last;  refused  to  retreat,  and  the  bayonets  of 
the  soldiers  were  just  upon  him,  when  a  Brit- 
ish officer,  adminng  his  chivalrous  and  des- 
perate courage,  interfered  and  saved  his  \1(g. 

General  Washington  expressed  his  high  ap* 
probation  of  his  conduct,  gave  him  his  hand 
with  his  most  cordial  thanks ;  ordered  the  sen- 
tence of  the  court  martial  condemning  him, 
to  be  erased  from  the  orderly  book,  and  re- 
stored to  him  his  commission.  He  held  his 
commission  during  the  war,  and  left  the  ser- 
vice at  the  peace,  with  (he  highest  honor  and 
reputation. 

Captain  Dearborn  was  afterwards  highly 
distinguished  during  the  revolutionary  war 
for  his  bravery  and  enterprise.  He  volunteer- 
ed at  the  head  of  a  corapany  of  men,  selected 
from  the  regiment  to  accompany  Arnold,  in 
the  winter  of  1775,  through  the  trackless 
w^ilds,  to  Quebec;  an  enterprise,  which,  in  dar- 
ing, hardihood  and  courage,  is  not  surpassed 
by  the  immortal  passage  of  the  Alps  by  Han- 
nibal.    He  was  major  of  a  battalion  of  light 


to 


ItUNKGR   HILL   BATTLE. 


271 


infantry  at  Saratoga,  and  his  services  were  ac- 
knowledged by  Gates  in  the  highest  terms  of 
apj>robation.  Cilley's  regiment,  of  which  he 
was  lieutenant  colonel,  was  the  most  distin- 
guished corps  in  the  battle  of  Monmouth,  and 
the  salvation  of  the  army  was  owing  to  their 
heroic  courage.  General  Washington  ac- 
knowledged the  service,  and  sent  to  inquire 
what  regiment  It  was.   "  Full  blooded  yankees 

"by sir,"  was  the  answer  of  Dearborn. 

He  was  afterwards  secretary  at  war  appoint- 
ed by  Mr.  Jefferson  ;  and  during  the  last  war 
was  the  first  major  general  and  senior  officer 
of  the  American  army. 

Porter,  the  promising  artillerist,  who  stood 
by  his  piece  and  lu^  captain  to  the  last,  V^  ^^ 
since  then  risen  through  every  grade  of  offico 
to  the  rank  o^  brigadier  general  in  the  army, 
to  wl.ich  he  has  ever  since  belonged  ;  and  has 
maintained  an  uniform  and  distinguished  repu- 
tation as  one  of  the  first  artillery  officers  in 
service.  The  important  post  of  Norfolk  was 
entrusted  to  hiscoimmnd  the  last  war,  and  he 
i«  now  stationed  at  Boston  in  command  of  the 
very  district  which  he  so  bravely  contributed 
to  defend  in  1775. 

General  Howe,  notwithstanding  his  wound^ 
remained  on  the  field  the  whole  night,  watch- 
ing the  enemy's  movements,  and  protecting 
ills  own  position  :  supporting  himself  against 


I 


272 


EVNKeR  HILL   BATTLE. 


some  hay,  he  ordered  his  attendants  to  pre- 
vent him  from  falling  asleep. 

The  morning  after  the  battle,  a  younff  gen* 
tieman  from  Boiton  went  on  the  grodiid,  and 
recognized  the  body  of  Warren,  and  mention- 
ed the  fact.  General  Howe  would  not  credit 
the  account ;  it  was  too  improbable  that  the 
president  of  Congress  was  in  the  battle.  One 
of  the  most  eminent  physicians  of  that  or  the 
present  day,  and  yet  living  in  Boston,  was  on 
the  field ;  he  had  gone  over  during  the  battle 
to  dress  the  British  wounded,  and  was  yet 
dressing  them  and  the  wounded  American  pritr 
oners,!  with  his  usual  humanity  and  skill.  Gen- 
eral Howe  asked  him  if  he  could  identify  Doctor 
Warren ;  he  recollected  the  doctor  had  loat  a 
finger  nail  and  wore  a  false  tooth,  and  inform- 
ed the  general  that  Doctor  Warren  had  five 
days  before  ventured  over  to  Boston  in  a  ca- 
noe to  get  information,  invited  him  to  join  the 
Arterican  troops  as  surgeon,  and  informed 
him  that  he  was  himself  to  receive  a  commis- 
sion in  the  army.  General  Warren  was  in- 
stantly recognized,  and  Howe  declared  this 
victim  alone  was  worth  five  hundred  of  his 


mr.i. 


hff- 


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BimKER   HILL  BATTLE. 


273 


Omitted  pages  92  awcZ  93%  '    -^ 

Immediately  after  the  battle,  the  rank  of 
major  general  was  conferred  on  Colonel  Grid- 
ley,  u 


».-?'. 


■)  J  »*■«■) 


'B  f  4  ■'iff  rSW"  '  ^  r'*  r* 


vS   , 


America  commenced  her  revolution  with 
but  four  pieces  of  cannon,  and  to  his  mechani- 
cal science  and  ingenuity  she  was  indebted 
for  the  first  mortars  and  cannon  ever  cast  in 

the  country.-!' ■■  '-i  .a^'V^fffyii  /t;*3it.!*i  ^j^t  -nmim^vrriiS^ 
mm:  \-i^:-  i^AX  c;ir^  ^^I^a«;  k?  \h^m  ^^  infif^p^'^- 
After  being  confined  some  months  by  his 
wound,  he  repaired  to  Cambridge  and  super- 
intended the  fortifications  erecting  round  Bos- 
ton. On  the  4th  March,  1776,  he  was  again 
engaged  in  erecting  fortifications  in  the  night, 
and  the  address,  science  and  prodigies  of  la- 
bor, displayed  at  Dorchester  Heights,  were 
perhaps  never  exceeded,  except  on  Breed's 
Hill.  These  works  expelled  the  enemy  from 
Boston.  General  Gridley  fortified  the  heights 
of  this  place  and  the  islands  in  the  harbor, 
and  General  Washington  urged  him  to  ac- 
company the  army,  but  his  advanced  age  for- 
bad. He  retired  on  half  pay.  In  1795  he 
assisted  in  laying  the  comer  stone  of  the 
state  house,  as  he  had  in  1775  to  lay  the 
comer  stone  of  the  state,  and  lived  in  re- 
markable health  to  the  age  of  eighty  six,  a 
model  of  courtliness,  beneficence  and  hospi^ 


24 


■■*»■ 


274 


BUNKER  HILL   BATTLB. 


tality,  as  well  as  all  the  high  perfections  of  a 
soldier^       ,a  -,.■,-■ 


V  '# 
5%^, 


Coloijel  Stark  will  be  recognised  as  the  he-  ''',* 
ro  of  Bennington,  but  it  is  not  so  generally 
known  that  he  employed  an  ingenious  and 
successful  expedient  to  strike  a  panic  into  the 
enemy  and  assist  him  in  achieving  his  glorious 
victory.  He  had  one  iron  cannon,  but  neither 
powder  sufficient  to  employ  it,  nor  balls ;  he 
ordered  an  officer,  however,  to  charge  it,  wha 
objected  the  want  of  balls ;  '^no  matter,'^  said 
the  colonel,  '^  load  it  with  blank  cartridge,  and 
*Met  the  discharge  be  the  signal  iov  all  the  | 
"  troops  to  rush  on  the  enemy."  The  Hes- 
sians were  pt^nic-struck  at  the  thundering  re- 
port, his  troops  rushed  on  with  loud  hurraSy 
and  the  victory  was  complete* 


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Page  272,  line  4,  after  <<  gentleman  from 
Boston^'  add  the  following  note. 


fvn  ■ 


.■;l«^.  »,.'■' . 


.i%\:,  .i-lMi'-:' 


General  Winslow,  jet  living.  Another 
friend  of  the  author,  yet  living,  was  within 
six  feet  of  Warren  when  he  fell,  and  received 
himself  a  hall  through  the  thigh. 

Pa^e  183, 1.  Unread  Major  Box, an  experi- 
enced, &c.  P.  202,  1.  2,  for  defence,  read 
defensive.  P.  211,  1.  17,  for  side,  on  front, 
read  side,  or  front.  P.  222, 1.  4  from  hottom, 
for  spare,  read  sparse.  P.  233, 1. 1 4,/or  huzza, 
read  hurra.  P.  263,  1.  2,  for  Peckskill,  read 
Peekskill.  P.  267, 1. 1 1,/or  Latch,  read  Leitch. 
P.  189,  1.  4  from  hottom,  omit  his.  P.  199, 
1.  3  from  bottom,  omit  and.  P.  272,  1.  3 
from  bottom,  ybr  Howe,  read  the  enemj.  P. 
183, 1.  18, /or  ivio,read  four.  P.221,f.19,o/- 
ter  Boston,  insert  the  principal  part  of.  Same 
page,  1.  28,  erase  a  large  portion  of.  P.  258, 
L  15^  for  Prdvincial,  read  Providence.  P.  257, 
L  22,  after  killed,  add  and  missing. 


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ini  HILL  BATTLfi. 


276 


We  neglected  to  mention  that  Honorable 
James  Wmthrop,  and  James  Svan,  Esquire, 
accompanied  the  reinforcements  to  Breed's 
Hill,  with  their  muskets,  as  volunteers,  fought 
valiantly,  and  the  fovmor  was  wounded. 


■/•.- 


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from  town  during  the  whole  time  the  work 
was  in  the  press.  ""    ■  *r:^i^m^M.k- 


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